Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) and spine disorder are common problems for occupational drivers. For home delivery drivers, the Manual Materials Handling (MMH) task is the main risk factor that causes low back problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between low back problems, and physical, biomechanical as well as psychosocial factors for the home delivery drivers. A total of 32 male home delivery drivers participated in the study. Four questionnaires, including Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Work Ability Index (WAI), the brief version World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and Job Stress Questionnaire were used. Besides, a rehabilitation doctor diagnosed the subjects’ spine disorder based on lumbar x-ray results. Furthermore, the biomechanical loading of spine was analyzed while drivers performing MMH. The study results show that osteophytes (65%) and disc space narrowing (36%) were the most common disorders for home delivery drivers. Over one third of the subjects felt back/hip (56%), neck (47%), and shoulder (38%) discomfort. There was no absolute association between LBP and spine disorder. However, there were significant positive correlations between spine disorder and age, job seniority, poor human relation, the fatigue strength off duty. When performing MMH, the percent of trunk flexion over 75°, weight of goods over 23 kg, the percent of push, and the accumulated biomechanical loading of L5/S1 spine disc showed positive correlations with the severity of spine disorder. Moreover, this study constructed logistic and multivariable regression models to predict spine disorder from physical, biomechanical and psychosocial factors. The prediction models explained at least 60% of the variations. Some improvements are recommended to reduce the home delivery drivers low back problem. Keyword：Home delivery driver, low back pain, spine disorder, Manual Materials Handling, psychosocial factors