Evaluation of two questionnaires to determine exposure to risk factors for non-specific low back pain in Mallorcan schoolchildren and their parents

Abstract

Background: A pilot study was undertaken to test the methodology as well as the comprehensibility, validity and reliability of two questionnaires to be used in a study to determine prevalence of low back pain In schoolchildren In Mallorca and their parents. Methods: Fifty students from a school in Palma de Mallorca, aged 13-15 years, were surveyed from September to December 1996, as well as their parents. The questionnaires were distributed to the students by the study's school coordinator. Evaluation of the questionnaires was done through the test-retest method, the test through a self-administered, written version and the retest through an interview. Questions were asked on presumed risk factors for low back pain and on topics associated with its characteristics. Results: The system designed for the data collection phase was successful. Difficulties with comprehension centred mainly around two questions: sports and alcohol intake. Validity was only assessed on two student questions (academic problems and ever/never diagnosis of scoliosis) and the validity measures used were concordance of students' and parents' responses and concordance of students' responses with the gold standard (academic and medical records). With respect to reliability there was a good test-retest correlation for each subject, except for students' hours of television watching, associated leg pain and problems with schoolwork (p=0.013, 0.043, and <0.001, respectively); and in parents' problems with schoolwork in their child (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Other than the necessity of making some minor adjustments to the questionnaires, it appears that they are adequate for collecting the information necessary for this study.