Low back pain does not predict unemployment in a U.S. refugee population: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unemployment can limit host-community integration for refugees. Poor health is a leading cause of unemployment among refugees in the U.S. This study assesses whether low back pain (LBP) is predictive of unemployment among a group of refugees in the U.S.

Methods

Electronic medical record data were collected for a total of 3,183 refugee patients. General patient characteristics (sex, age, home country, need for English interpretation, tobacco use, and illicit drug use), employment status, and mental illness and LBP diagnoses were studied. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to explore relationships between LBP and unemployment.

Results

Of the 12 home countries considered, seven were represented by >40 patients: Somalia (n=1696), Sudan/South

SUBMITTER: Holmes BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9676385 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature