Construction work is tough on the body. Workers spend long hours lifting heavy materials, bending, and twisting in ways that strain their backs. A new study from Nepal shows just how common back pain is among these hardworking people and what puts them at higher risk.
The Problem is Bigger Than We Thought
The research looked at 402 construction workers in two cities in Nepal. The results were eye-opening. More than half of all workers, 52%, had experienced low back pain in the past year. This rate is much higher than what doctors see in the general public. (1)
For reference, about 25% of Nepalese adults live with low back pain. This means construction workers face more than three times the normal risk.
Women Face the Highest Risk
The study found some surprising differences between male and female construction workers. Among women in construction, 72 out of every 100 had back pain in the past year. For men, the number was 48 out of 100. Such a big gap shows that women in construction face special challenges.
Scientists think this difference might happen because of hormones. Women’s bodies produce different hormones than men’s bodies, and these hormones can change how people feel pain. Women might also do certain types of construction work that put more stress on their backs.
Who Gets Back Pain Most Often?
The researchers found four main factors that make back pain more likely:
Being Female: Women were more than twice as likely to have back pain compared to men. This held true even when researchers looked at other factors like age and type of work.
Living in Poverty: Workers whose families earned less than $1.90 per day were much more likely to suffer from back pain. Poor nutrition might weaken muscles and bones. Also, people with back pain might not be able to work as much, which could push families deeper into poverty.
Working Many Years: People who had worked in construction for more than five years faced higher risks. Years of heavy lifting, bending, and physical stress add up over time. As workers get older, their spines naturally wear down, making pain more likely.
Poor Sleep Quality: Workers who said they had “okay” sleep were at a higher risk of getting back pain compared to those who slept well. Pain and sleep have a two-way relationship: pain makes it hard to sleep, and poor sleep makes people feel more pain.
The Hidden Cost of Back Pain
Back pain doesn’t just hurt; it costs workers money and opportunities. The study found that 80 out of 100 workers with back pain never went to see a doctor or get treatment. Why not?
- No Time: Most workers (91 out of 100) said they were too busy to see a doctor
- No Money: Some workers (18 out of 100) couldn’t afford medical care
- Fear of Lost Wages: Many workers (41 out of 100) worried they would lose pay if they took time off for medical visits
This creates a cycle where pain gets worse because people can’t get help.
Most Workers Don’t Protect Themselves
The research showed that most construction workers do nothing to prevent back pain. Among workers without back pain, 95 out of 100 took no steps to protect their backs. Even among workers who already had pain, 61 out of 100 did nothing to manage it.
Some workers in Nepal use a traditional cloth belt called a “Patuka” around their waist. Studies have shown this can help protect the back by supporting the spine. But only 29 out of 100 workers with pain used this protection, and just 4 out of 100 healthy workers wore it to prevent problems.
Different Jobs, Different Risks
Not all construction work is equally hard on the back. The study found that manual laborers and bricklayers had the most back pain. These jobs require lots of bending, lifting, and twisting – all movements that stress the spine.
Painters and electricians had less back pain. Their work involves less heavy lifting and more standing or reaching, which puts less strain on the lower back.
The Role of Mental Health
The research also looked at stress, anxiety, and job satisfaction. Workers who felt anxious were more likely to have back pain. Stress and worry can make the body tense up, which might make back pain worse.
Job security also mattered. Workers who worried about losing their jobs had more back pain, though this connection wasn’t as strong as other factors.
What This Means for Workers and Employers
This research shows that back pain among construction workers is a serious problem that needs attention. Here’s what different groups can do:
Workers can:
- Use protective gear like back belts when lifting
- Learn proper lifting techniques – bend knees, not back
- Take breaks to stretch and rest
- Seek medical help early when pain starts
- Practice good sleep habits
Employers can:
- Provide training on safe lifting and moving
- Supply protective equipment
- Allow regular breaks for physical rest
- Offer health insurance or medical support
- Rotate workers between different types of tasks
Health Officials can:
- Create programs to teach back safety
- Make medical care more available and affordable
- Develop workplace health rules for construction sites
- Research better ways to prevent and treat back pain
Looking Forward
Construction work will always be physically demanding, but back pain doesn’t have to be unavoidable. With better education, protective equipment, and access to healthcare, workers can protect themselves and stay healthy throughout their careers.
The Nepal study is important because it shows the real scope of this problem in a developing country. Similar research in other places would help us understand if these patterns exist worldwide.
Back pain among construction workers isn’t just a personal problem – it affects families, communities, and entire economies. When workers can’t do their jobs because of pain, construction projects slow down, families lose income, and countries lose valuable workers.
By taking action now, we can help construction workers stay healthy, keep working, and support their families while building the infrastructure their countries need.
References:
- Adhikari, Bikram, et al. “Factors Associated With Low Back Pain Among Construction Workers in Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study.” PLoS ONE, vol. 16, no. 6, June 2021, p. e0252564, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252564.
