Health and Safety Executive

Table BACKGOR1 - 2004/05

Estimated prevalence and rates (%) of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the back, caused or made worse by work, by country and government office region within England, for people ever employed, 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2001/02

Country Government office region within England Sample cases Estimated prevalence (thousands) Rate per 100 ever employed
central 95% C.I. central 95% C.I.
lower upper lower upper
England   741 383 355 411 1.0 0.96 1.1
North East 53 24 18 31 1.3 0.94 1.7
North West 95 51 40 61 1.0 0.81 1.2
Yorkshire and the Humber 83 39 30 47 1.0 0.81 1.3
East Midlands 62 34 25 43 1.1 0.79 1.3
West Midlands 85 45 35 54 1.1 0.89 1.4
East 65 33 25 41 0.78 0.59 0.97
London 74 48 37 59 0.96 0.74 1.2
South East 132 65 54 77 1.1 0.88 1.2
South West 92 45 35 54 1.2 0.91 1.4
Wales   63 31 23 38 1.4 1.0 1.7
Scotland   78 38 30 47 0.99 0.77 1.2
Great Britain   882 452 422 483 1.1 0.98 1.1

Notes:

  • Definitions and data reliability
  • See section 2.7 and Appendix 3.2 in the 'Self-reported work-related illness in 2004/05' (SWI04/05) report for more details on prevalence estimates and rates.
  • The estimates in this table take account of revisions made to the Great Britain population estimates following the 2001 Census.

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Updated 12.05.08