Objectives Identifying risk factors and quantification of the prevalence of low back pain among nurses and service agents working at the hospital in Sétif (Algeria).

Method A questionnaire containing 45 items was submitted by a physician to 450 people, of which only 300 people have agreed to meet. Responses have been verified by cross-checking with the information contained in the medical records of the occupational medicine service. Controlled data have been analysed by the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression techniques using the “IBM SPPS 20” software.

Results The prevalence of LBP is 66.67%, it is significantly higher between 30 and 49 years of age and between 2 and 5 years of seniority at the hospital. These low back pains have a gradual onset in 52.0% and radiates along the sciatic nerve in 62.0%. The logistic regression analysis revealed the following associations: low back pain predicted by psychosocial factors (stress, sleep disturbance and fatigue late in the day), the usual working posture and frequent positioning of patients in bed. Regarding sleep disorders, we cannot say if they are a source or a consequence of low back pain even if they are strongly associated with this disease.

Conclusions Occupational factors that have a significant influence on the development of low back musculoskeletal disorders are not only mechanical and postural order but also organisational, social and psychological.