Aim:​ Individuals who earn their living by carrying marketers’ heavy groceries on their heads (professional load porters) are very common in Nigerian markets. The possible link between habitual carrying of heavy load on the head and spinal deformity has however not been investigated. This study was aimed at documenting the impact of load-carrying on the head on professional load porters’ spine by comparing the prevalence of spinal deformities among them and sex and age matched controls.

Methods:​ Participants were 52 (23 male, 29 female) load porters and 52 (24 male, 28 female) age and sex-matched controls. The plumb line method was used to screen all participants for spinal deformity in the saggital and frontal planes. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentages and Chi-square test at α;​ = 0.05.

Results:​ No significant difference between load porters’ age (31.52 ± 7.8 years, range = 20-50 years) and that of the controls (30.10 ± 8.1 years, range = 20-50 years) but controls had significantly higher body mass index and weight. No significant difference between prevalence of spinal deformity in load porters (28.8%) and controls (25.5%);​ and between male (39.1%) and female (20.9%) load porters. Scoliosis (23.1%) was the most common deformity in load porters while lordosis (15.4%) was most common among controls.

Conclusion:​ There was no significant difference in spinal deformity prevalence between load porters and controls though the prevalence was higher in load porters. However, we could not conclude that carrying heavy loads on the head causes spinal deformities among professional load porters.