The Prevalence of Neck and Low Back Pain in FMSTRC Staff At the UWI Mona

Overview

The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of neck and low back pain in full-time staff in the Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex at The University of the West Indies, Mona; to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of good spine health and to determine the outcome of a standardised spine exercise program on staff experiencing neck and low back pain, using a prospective randomised control design.

Musculoskeletal pain is a widespread problem in varied occupational groups. Globally, low back pain is among the leading causes of disability and morbidity in adults, contributing to a significant health care and socioeconomic burden. It is strongly associated with lost workdays, reduced productivity, and increased workers' compensation claims (Samad NIA AH, 2010) (GA, 2005). Studies suggest that approximately 37% of low back pain cases are occupation related, and the lifetime prevalence of neck pain is estimated to be as high as 70%. Occupational risk factors vary across work groups(Cagnie B DL, 2007). Office and academic staff are prone to neck pain due to prolonged sitting, forward head posture, and sustained computer use. Ancillary workers, such as cleaners and those performing manual tasks, are more often affected by low back pain linked to repetitive lifting, awkward postures, and whole-body vibration. For example, Chang (2012) reported that nearly 90% of cleaners experienced musculoskeletal discomfort, with 37.8% citing low back pain as their main complaint. Lifestyle and environmental factors also contribute. Green (2016) found a strong association between smoking and back pain: prevalence was 23.5% in never-smokers, 33.1% in former smokers, and 36.9% in current smokers. Genetic influences are also significant, with Lier (2015) showing that parental spinal pain was consistently linked to higher risk of chronic pain in adult offspring. Evidence supports targeted interventions. Sihawong et al. (2014) demonstrated that office workers who participated in a structured stretching and endurance program had a reduced incidence of low back pain. Similarly, a randomised controlled trial by Shariat (2018) found significant reductions in both neck and back pain scores among office workers following a combined program of stretching and ergonomic modifications. Despite this growing body of evidence, there is a lack of published research from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean on the prevalence of neck and low back pain among university staff. These conditions not only impair physical health but can also affect social and occupational functioning, leading to decreased quality of life. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of neck and low back pain among full-time staff in the Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching and Research Complex at The University of the West Indies,Mona. It also aims to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding spine health, and to evaluate the effects of a standardised spine-specific exercise program on musculoskeletal discomfort. A prospective randomised controlled trial will be conducted with staff who report neck and low back pain. Participants will be randomised into a control group (Group A), which will receive a non-specific spine exercise program, or an intervention group (Group B), which will complete an eight (8) weeks standardised spine-specific exercise program. The non-specific spine exercise program will aid in minimising the placebo effect. This program focuses on stretching, flexibility, and core strengthening exercises to improve posture, spinal stability, and functional capacity. Data will be collected using Questionnaires A and B, the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Outcomes between groups will then be compared to determine the effectiveness of the specific spine exercise program in reducing discomfort and improving spine health practices among the participants. Confidentiality will be strictly observed. Each participant will be assigned a study number, and only demographic, clinical, and outcome data will be recorded. All data will be securely stored on REDCap, a password-protected, web-based platform that complies with national data protection standards. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS, and all records will be securely destroyed three years after study completion.