Back pain most common work illness – PSA survey

MANILA, Philippines - Back pain, hypertension and peptic ulcer were found to be the most common type of occupational diseases affecting workers or employees, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

In its latest report, the PSA, a line agency of the National Economic and Development Authority,  said the total number of cases more than doubled to 171,787 in 2013 from only 85,482 in 2011.

According to the PSA, 31.6 percent of those surveyed admitted to experiencing back pain..

Back pain is the leading occupational disease of the total 171,787 cases in establishments employing 20 or more workers.

Peptic ulcer came in next with a total of 19,434 cases recorded in 2013, or more than double the 6,967 cases in 2011.

Not far behind was hypertension with about 19,382 cases in 2013 or an increase of 72.4 percent from the 11,241 cases in 2011.

Neck and shoulder pain complaints reached 18,255 cases in 2013, or over a 100 percent from the 8,733 cases in 2011.

The other cases of occupational disease encountered were occupational dermatitis, occupational asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder tendinitis, other work-related musculoskeletal disease, tuberculosis, heat-stroke-cramps-exhaustion, deafness, cataract, cardio-vascular diseases, and chilblain-frostbite-freezing.

Industry-wise, the administrative and support services reported 56,115 cases, more than four times the 13,078 cases in 2011.