The effect of occupationally-related low back pain on functional activities among male manual workers in a construction company in Cape Town, South Africa

This study determined the prevalence as well as the effect of occupationally-related low back pain on the functional activities of workers in a construction company in Cape Town. A cross-sectional, descriptive survey using a validated questionnaire was carried out. The questionnaire comprising demographic data, low back pain symptoms information, functional limitations scale and the participation restriction scale was used as a closed ended interview guide. Workers suffered physical, emotional, fi nancial and functional problems with 41.5% reporting sickness absence. Lifting and bending were the most affected activities associated to low back pain (p