{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T16:40:36Z","timestamp":1773679236967,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773619200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) in Tanzania has noted an increased rate of injury claims for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), particularly chronic low back pain among truck drivers and heavy machine operators. These trends indicate a likelihood of occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV), nevertheless local and contextual evidence is needed to guide policy and decision-making. This study aimed to quantity and characterize the WBV exposure and examined its association with self-reported 12-month chronic low back pain among heavy machine operators and long-haul truck drivers in Tanzania.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study of 632 participants in 2023 with a total of 141 WBV measurements. The WBV was measured at the seat-operator interface and analyzed using the International Organization for Standardization - ISO 2631-1:1997 to derive 8-h equivalent daily exposure, A(8). A standardized and pretested questionnaire was used to collect information on WRMSDs related factors. Data were analyzed using regression models and Chronic low back pain was defined as self-reported low back pain during the preceding 12 months.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The mean A(8) was 0.63 m\/s\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      (SD = 0.20) in the mining and 0.51 m\/s\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      (SD = 0.08) in the transportation. In the mining sector, 71% (\n                      <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                      = 41) of measurements were \u22650.5 m\/s\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      A8 - exposure action value (EAV). The 12-month prevalence of chronic low back pain was 42.5%. In adjusted models, WBV exposure \u22650.5 m\/s\n                      <jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>\n                      was associated with higher prevalence of chronic low back pain (adjusted RR 1.22; 95% CI 1.01\u20131.47), as were working in the mining sector (adjusted RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.05\u20131.75), increase in body mass index (BMI) (adjusted RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00\u20131.04) and reporting leg pain symptoms (adjusted RR 2.36; 95% CI 2.04\u20132.73).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A significant number of measurements exceeded the Directive 2002\/44\/EC EAV, and a substantial proportion of workers reported chronic low back pain, suggesting a potential relationship. Preventive interventions to reduce WBV exposure could benefit heavy machine operators and truck drivers. Longitudinal studies with repeated measurements are warranted to better characterize exposure variability and WRMSDs.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1735367","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T15:44:40Z","timestamp":1773675880000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Whole-body vibration exposure and chronic low back pain among heavy machine operators and long-haul truck drivers in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Israel","family":"Nyarubeli","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychosocial Sciences, University of Bergen","place":["Bergen, Norway"]},{"name":"School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gloria","family":"Sakwari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Suleiman","family":"Chombo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Susan","family":"Reuben","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Naanjela","family":"Msangi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Robert","family":"Duguza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bryan","family":"Francis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Simon","family":"Lwaho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Occupational Safety and Health Authority","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Abdulsalaam","family":"Omar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"John","family":"Mduma","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Workers Compensation Fund (WCF)","place":["Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1007\/s42461-022-00712-y","article-title":"Whole-body vibration in the mining industry: a systematic review of assessment methods","volume":"40","author":"Ntsiful","year":"2023","journal-title":"Min Metall Explor."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"181","DOI":"10.1007\/s00420-015-1062-x","article-title":"Whole-body vibration and occupational physical performance: a review","volume":"89","author":"Savage","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int Arch Occup Environ Health."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"589","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.4700230407","article-title":"Selected health risks caused by long-term, whole-body vibration","volume":"23","author":"Seidel","year":"1993","journal-title":"Am J of Indus Med."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1016\/S0146-0005(96)80056-5","article-title":"Low back pain disorders and exposure to whole-body vibration in the workplace","volume":"20","author":"Bovenzi","year":"1996","journal-title":"Semin Perinatol."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jth.2018.08.013","article-title":"Factors associated with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among canadian truck drivers: a cross-sectional study of worker perspectives","volume":"11","author":"Senthanar","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Transp Health."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104264","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2024.104264","article-title":"The after-effects of occupational whole-body vibration on human cognitive, visual, and motor function: a systematic review","volume":"118","author":"Halmai","year":"2024","journal-title":"Appl Ergon."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2859","DOI":"10.1007\/s11136-019-02274-x","article-title":"The effect of whole-body vibration on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review","volume":"28","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"Qual Life Res."},{"key":"B8","first-page":"187","article-title":"Whole-body vibration and rehabilitation of chronic diseases: a review of the literature","volume":"11","author":"Chanou","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Sports Sci Med."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2006","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(20)32340-0","article-title":"Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the global burden of disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019","volume":"396","author":"Cieza","year":"2021","journal-title":"Lancet."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1097\/PXH.0000000000000003","article-title":"Epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders","volume":"1","author":"Bonfiglioli","year":"2022","journal-title":"Curr Opini Epidemiol Public Health."},{"key":"B11","unstructured":"Musculoskeletal Health. Fact Sheets.\n          \n          2022"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e12150","DOI":"10.1002\/1348-9585.12150","article-title":"Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among professional drivers: a systematic review","volume":"62","author":"Joseph","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Occup Health."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"803","DOI":"10.1007\/s42461-019-00170-z","article-title":"Musculoskeletal disorders among dozer operators exposed to whole-body vibration in indian surface coal mines","volume":"37","author":"Jeripotula","year":"2020","journal-title":"Min Metall Explor."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jterra.2006.01.006","article-title":"Whole-body vibration: evaluation of emission and exposure levels arising from agricultural tractors","volume":"44","author":"Scarlett","year":"2007","journal-title":"J Terramech."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1093\/annweh\/wxab078","article-title":"Exposure to whole-body vibration in commercial heavy-truck driving in on- and off-road conditions: effect of seat choice","volume":"66","author":"Davies","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ann Work Expo Health."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"936","DOI":"10.1093\/annhyg\/mew040","article-title":"Whole body vibration exposures and health status among professional truck drivers: a cross-sectional analysis","volume":"60","author":"Kim","year":"2016","journal-title":"Ann Occup Hyg."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1016\/j.shaw.2015.06.004","article-title":"Whole-body vibration exposure of drill operators in iron ore mines and role of machine-related, individual, and rock-related factors","volume":"6","author":"Chaudhary","year":"2015","journal-title":"Saf Health Work."},{"key":"B18","unstructured":"C102 - Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102): 2012 Version."},{"key":"B19","article-title":"Workers Compensation Systems","volume-title":"Towards Sustainable Development workers' Compensation for Occupational Diseases and Injuries in the Tanzanian Socio-Economic Development.","author":"Abdisalaam Omar","year":"2022"},{"key":"B20","volume-title":"Guidelines on Diagnosis of Occupational Diseases","author":"Workers","year":"2021"},{"key":"B21","volume-title":"ISO 2631-5:2018-Mechanical Vibration and Shock \u2014 Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration: Part 5: Method for Evaluation of Vibration Containing Multiple Shocks.","year":"2018"},{"key":"B22","volume-title":"ISO 2631-1:1997, Mechanical Vibration and Shock \u2014 Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration \u2014 Part 1: General Requirements.","year":"1997"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1597","DOI":"10.1007\/s42461-025-01266-5","volume":"42","author":"Sharma","year":"2025","journal-title":"Min Metall Explor."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5206","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19095206","article-title":"Whole body vibration exposure transmitted to drivers of heavy equipment vehicles: a comparative case according to the short- and long-term exposure assessment methodologies defined in iso 2631-1 and Iso 2631-5","volume":"19","author":"de la Hoz-Torres","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health."},{"key":"B25","unstructured":"Whole Body Vibration at Work: Control Back-Pain Risks from Whole-Body Vibration - Advice for Employers on the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.\n          \n          2005"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2302","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(18)30725-6","article-title":"Low back pain: a major global challenge","volume":"391","author":"Clark","year":"2018","journal-title":"Lancet."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"344","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2007.11.008","article-title":"The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies","volume":"61","author":"von Elm","year":"","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"840","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ergon.2014.09.006","article-title":"Evaluation of whole-body vibration exposure experienced by operators of a compact wheel loader according to Iso 2631-1:1997 and Iso 2631-5:2004","volume":"44","author":"Zhao","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int J Ind Ergon."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.12691\/education-5-1-2","article-title":"Do larger samples really lead to more precise estimates?","volume":"5","author":"Asiamah","year":"2017","journal-title":"Am J Educ Res."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1080\/00140139.2011.643243","article-title":"Assessing whole body vibration exposure for use in epidemiological studies of back injuries: measurements, observations and self-reports","volume":"55","author":"Village","year":"2012","journal-title":"Ergonomics."},{"key":"B31","unstructured":"2008"},{"key":"B32","unstructured":"Leidel KAB, Jeremiah R. Lynch. The national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH)\n          \n          \n            \n              Nelson\n              A\n            \n          \n          Occupational Exposure Sampling Strategy Manual: 1977\n          \n          1977"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1006\/jsvi.2001.4253","article-title":"Guidelines for whole-body vibration health surveillance","volume":"253","author":"Pope","year":"2002","journal-title":"J Sound Vib"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"300","DOI":"10.1093\/occmed\/kqm036","article-title":"The nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire","volume":"57","author":"Crawford","year":"2007","journal-title":"Occup Med."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5556400","DOI":"10.1155\/prm\/5556400","article-title":"How does self-declared chronic pain compare to other definitions? A prospective multicenter study","volume":"2025","author":"Daoust","year":"2025","journal-title":"Pain Res Manag."},{"key":"B36","unstructured":"Pre - Feasibility Study Report for Implementation of Kibaha -Mlandizi - Chalinze - Morogoro Toll Expressway (205 Km) Project under Public Private Partnership (Ppp) Arrangement\n          \n          2022"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compag.2014.09.009","article-title":"Measurement and analysis of truck vibration levels as a function of packages locations in truck bed and suspension","volume":"109","author":"Soleimani","year":"2014","journal-title":"Comput Electron Agric."},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1148","DOI":"10.3390\/app10031148","article-title":"Systematic literature review of various control techniques for active seat suspension systems","volume":"10","author":"Al-Ashmori","year":"2020","journal-title":"Applied Sciences."},{"key":"B39","volume-title":"Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back.","author":"Anderson","year":"1997"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.17159\/2411-9717\/1728\/2022","article-title":"Assessment of vibration exposure of mine machinery operators at three different open-pit coal mines","volume":"122","author":"Tekin","year":"2022","journal-title":"J South Afr Inst Min Metall."},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"495","DOI":"10.1007\/s42461-019-0061-y","article-title":"Associations between whole-body vibration exposure and occupational and personal factors in drill operators in Indian iron ore mines","volume":"36","author":"Chaudhary","year":"2019","journal-title":"Min Metall Explor."},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1002\/ame2.12163","article-title":"Deleterious effects of whole-body vibration on the spine: a review of in Vivo, Ex Vivo, and in Vitro Models","volume":"4","author":"Patterson","year":"2021","journal-title":"Anim Model Exp Med."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1080\/17480930903526227","article-title":"Musculoskeletal disorders in dumper operators exposed to whole body vibration at Indian mines","volume":"24","author":"Mandal","year":"2010","journal-title":"Int J Min Reclam Environ."},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6837","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19116837","article-title":"Musculoskeletal disorders associated with occupational driving: a systematic review spanning 2006-2021","volume":"19","author":"Pickard","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health."},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105868","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ssci.2022.105868","article-title":"Causative and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among mine workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"155","author":"Murtoja Shaikh","year":"2022","journal-title":"Saf Sci."},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5206","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19095206","article-title":"Whole body vibration exposure transmitted to drivers of heavy equipment vehicles: a comparative case according to the short- and long-term exposure assessment methodologies defined in Iso 2631-1 and Iso 2631-5","volume":"19","author":"De la Hoz-Torres","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health."},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2560","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12242560","article-title":"Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in heavy vehicle drivers and office workers: a comparative analysis using a machine learning approach","volume":"12","author":"Raza","year":"2024","journal-title":"Healthcare."},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1080","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpain.2011.05.006","article-title":"The neuropathic components of chronic low back pain: a prospective multicenter study using the Dn4 questionnaire","volume":"12","author":"Attal","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Pain."},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"236","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2474-13-236","article-title":"Patients with low back pain differ from those who also have leg pain or signs of nerve root involvement \u2013 a cross-sectional study","volume":"13","author":"Kongsted","year":"2012","journal-title":"BMC Musculoskelet Disord."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1735367\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]],"date-time":"2026-03-16T15:44:45Z","timestamp":1773675885000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1735367\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]]},"references-count":49,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1735367"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1735367","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,16]]},"article-number":"1735367"}}