French people forced for the first time to work from home during confinement were more prone to low back pain, according to a survey by Public Health France, which suggests measures to improve these working conditions as the epidemic resumes.
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Between June 8 and July 8, as part of questionnaires on the behavior of French people in the face of Covid-19, Santé Publique France questioned 6,000 people on the possible occurrence of low back pain during confinement or the worsening of pre-existing pain in the lower back.
Focusing on the more than 3,200 participants who worked during this time, the organization concludes that about 10% of them developed low back pain when they were previously unharmed.
The “new” teleworkers most affected
Having also questioned these people about their working conditions, it was possible to find out whether they had teleworked, for the first time or not, or whether they had continued to go to their place of work, but with sometimes more sustained activity. , such as nursing staff or mass distribution.
"
The incidence of low back pain was about two and a half times higher among workers who had been newly placed in telework
" - often forced and without an ergonomic workstation at home - as well as among those who had continued to work outside of home. at home but at a more sustained rate, according to the study published Friday.
Among new teleworkers with pre-existing low back pain, the survey does not reveal a trend in the evolution of pain.
On the other hand, those who continued to work on site with an increased workload are at risk of seeing their ailments worsen.
Faced with these results, and "
while the Covid-19 epidemic is once again in an increasing phase, measures could be proposed to workers to prevent a further increase in low back pain and its consequences
", estimates Public Health France, recalling that this condition is responsible for the greatest number of disabled life years.
The study, which notes that about a third of the workers questioned already suffered from low back pain before confinement, refers in particular to “
adjustments
” to the organization of work to be put in place by companies.
Like regular breaks or making sure to promote recovery (for manual or physical work).
And for teleworking, “
provide suitable equipment for the home (furniture, height-adjustable screen, etc.)
” and disseminate ergonomic recommendations for the layout of workstations.