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Background Factors influencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders might differ in developing and developed countries.

Aims To assess the prevalence and determinants of musculoskeletal pain in four occupational populations in Sri Lanka.

Methods As part of the international Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability study, samples of postal workers, sewing machinists, nurses and computer operators were interviewed about pain at each of six anatomical sites in the past month, and about possible physical and psychosocial risk factors. Associations with prevalent pain were assessed by binomial regression.

Results Analysis was based on 852 participants (86% response rate). Overall, the lower back was the most common site of pain, with 1-month prevalence ranging from 12% in computer …