ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SITTING DURATION AND SITTING POSTURE WITH LOW BACK PAIN AMONG BUS DRIVERS TRAVELING BETWEEN BALI AND JAVA

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a pervasive musculoskeletal disorder significantly affecting workforce productivity, particularly in the transport sector. Night bus drivers are theoretically at high risk due to prolonged static loading and non-ergonomic postures. However, the specific contribution of these biomechanical factors remains debated in the context of long-haul driving. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of LBP and analyze the correlation between sitting duration and sitting posture with the incidence of LBP among night bus drivers on the Bali-Java route. Methods: An observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 68 male night bus drivers selected via purposive sampling. Data regarding sitting duration, sitting posture, and LBP symptoms (measured via the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire) were collected and analyzed using Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests with a significance level p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of LBP was 36.8%. There was no significant association between sitting duration (p = 0.650) or sitting posture (p = 0.527) and LBP. Age (p = 0.947) and BMI (p = 0.333) were also not significantly associated with LBP. Conclusion: LBP affects more than one-third of night bus drivers on the Bali–Java route. The absence of a significant correlation suggests that sitting duration and sitting posture alone are not the primary determinants of LBP in this group.