Abstract
This study aimed at determining the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to ascertain its impact on physical dysfunction and work performance among pregnant women. A total of 200 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at three health facilities in Ilorin had a 29-item semi-structured questionnaire administered on them. Variables relating to the LBP obtained included frequency, duration and severity of the pain, effect of posture on pain, physical dysfunction experienced during the painful episode, effect on work performance as well as the treatment options sought for the relief of the LBP. There are slightly more (55.4%) pregnant women who experience LBP than those who did not. LBP is most common at both extremes of reproductive age group (p<0.005) and associated with absenteeism (p<0.005) and tended to be posture related and affected work schedules (p<0.005). More pregnant women who suffered LBP sought treatment with the gynaecologists than the physiotherapists. LBP is most common in pregnancy than outside pregnancy. LBP often causes considerable physical dysfunction, poor work performance and absenteeism. Collaboration between obstetricians and physiotherapists need to be further improved upon. Key words: Low back pain (LBP), pregnant women, questionnaire.
Highlights
Changes to the musculoskeletal system which occur during pregnancy include changes in posture, spinal or pelvic pain as well as lengthening of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (Mac Evilly and Buggy, 1996)
Variables relating to the low back pain (LBP) obtained included frequency, duration and severity of the pain, effect of posture on pain, physical dysfunction experienced during the painful episode, effect on work performance as well as the treatment options sought for the relief of the LBP
There had been a mean average of 2.99±1.40 episodes of LBP in the index pregnancy when compared with a mean average of 1.82±2.52 within the last one year outside pregnancy (p
Summary
Changes to the musculoskeletal system which occur during pregnancy include changes in posture, spinal or pelvic pain as well as lengthening of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (Mac Evilly and Buggy, 1996). The incidence of some degree of back pain during pregnancy is relatively high. The cause of back pain during pregnancy remains debatable and often there are several factors involved (Darry et al, 2007). Changes in the female's postural alignment are natural occurrences as pregnancy develops. Pregnancy results in an increase in overall body mass and a change in the centre of gravity. The posture adapts to the changing weight and subsequent forces imposed on the body (Mac Evilly and Buggy, 1990; Darry et al, 2007). The exact postural changes that occur in response to this remain debatable; the general
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