Chronic back problems among workers.

OBJECTIVES

This article examines associations between selected work- and non-work-related factors and the incidence of chronic back problems over the next two years.

DATA SOURCE

The data are from the longitudinal household component of the National Population Health Survey, conducted by Statistics Canada. The analysis is based on 3,234 male and 3,129 female respondents who, in 1994/95, were aged 16 or older, employed, rated their health as good, very good or excellent, and reported no diagnosed chronic back problems.

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES

All analyses were weighted to represent the Canadian population in 1994/95. Unadjusted cross-tabulations and multiple logistic regression were used to examine the associations between respondents' characteristics in 1994/95 and newly diagnosed chronic back problems in 1996/97.

MAIN RESULTS

More than 1 million (9%) Canadian workers aged 16 or older developed chronic back problems between 1994/95 and 1996/97. Back injury, chronic stress, depression, and being aged 40 to 49 were significantly associated with subsequent chronic back problems.