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Factors associated with back problems among emergency medical technicians
Author(s) -
Studnek Jonathan R.,
Crawford J. Mac
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20463
Subject(s) - medicine , physical fitness , physical therapy , back injury
Back problems are a common complaint among emergency medical technicians (EMTs). It is hypothesized that the likelihood of reporting back problems will be associated with the individual and work‐related characteristics of a national sample of EMTs. Methods A case‐control analysis was performed on 579 EMTs wherein cases were the 104 subjects who reported new back problems in 2004. Controls were 475 subjects who reported no back problems in 2003 and 2004. Results EMTs dissatisfied with their current assignment were significantly more likely to report back problems (OR = 9.33; 95% CI = 3.04–28.67), as were EMTs reporting good or fair fitness when compared to excellent fitness (OR = 3.39; 95% CI = 1.54–7.45, OR = 3.43; 95% CI = 1.37–8.56). Conclusions Results from this analysis suggest that there are two modifiable factors associated with self‐reported back problems among EMTs, satisfaction with current assignment and self‐reported physical fitness. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:464–469, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.