Occurrence Of Low Back Pain Research Articles

Complex sociodemographic inequalities in consultations for low back pain: lessons from multilevel intersectional analysis.

Sociodemographic inequalities in the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) are well-studied. This study aimed to examine complex sociodemographic inequalities in the risk of LBP consultation in the population from a socioeconomical intersectional perspective. Using register data, we identified 458,852 individuals aged 35 to 75 years residing in Skåne in 2013, with no previous LBP consultation since 2006. We created 108 strata using categories of age, sex, education, income, and nativity. With individuals nested within strata, we modelled the absolute risk of LBP consultation during 2014 in a series of multilevel logistic regression models. We quantified discriminatory accuracy (DA) of these variables by computing the variance partition coefficient and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We identified 13,657 (3.0%) people with an LBP consultation. The absolute risk ranged from 2.1% (95% credible interval: 1.9%-2.3%) among young native men with high education and high income to 4.8% (4.3%-5.5%) among young foreign-born women with medium education and low income (2.3-fold relative difference). Discriminatory accuracy of intersectional strata was very low (variance partition coefficient 1.1% (0.7-1.6); and AUC 0.56 [0.55-0.56]). Sex (35.6%) and nativity (19.2%) had the largest contributions in explaining the initially small between-strata variation in risk of LBP. The low DA of the intersectional strata indicates the existence of limited intersectional inequalities in LBP consultation. Therefore, interventions to reduce LBP risk should be universal rather than targeted to specific socioeconomic groups with a higher average risk. Before planning targeted intervention, other risk factors with higher DA need to be identified.

HUBUNGAN RISIKO ERGONOMI (POSTUR KERJA) PEKERJA SHUTTLECOCK DENGAN TERJADINYA LOW BACK PAIN

Introduction : Low Back Pain is a feeling of pain in the lower back. Several factors can cause Low Back Pain complaints, namely individual factors: sex, and occupational factors: work posture and length of work per day. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the Ergonomic Risk of Shuttlecock Workers and the occurrence of Low Back Pain. Methods : Correlation study design with a cross sectional approach was carried out on April 23-25, 2018 with a population of 89 respondents who met the inclusion criteria of 71 respondents with a sampling technique of Proportinate Stratified Random Sampling. Independent variables of Shuttlecock Worker Ergonomic Risk with REBA Observation and Dependent Variable Low Back Pain occurrence with Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire. Data were analyzed by spearman rank test with a significance of α = 0.05. Result : The results of the study showed that of 71 respondents, the majority of them were 45 respondents (63.4%) had moderate risk of ergonomics. Most of the 36 respondents (50.7%) had complaints of low back pain with moderate complaints. The results obtained ρ value 0,030 ≤ α 0,05, so Ha is accepted. This shows that there is a relationship between the risk of ergonomics of shuttlecock workers and the occurrence of low back pain in Sumengko Village, Sukomoro District, Nganjuk Regency. Conclusion : Shuttlecock worker working posture is proven as a factor in the occurrence of low back pain complaints, working with awkward work postures such as sitting and standing bent can cause complaints of pain in muscles and bones. Keywords: Ergonomics, Low Back Pain, Shuttlecock

Is Rhinoplasty Surgery a Risk Factor for Low Back Pain among Otorhinolaryngologists?

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between low back pain and performing rhinoplasty and presents the data related to the prevalence of low back pain among the otorhinolaryngologists included in a sample. The questionnaire prepared by the researchers was completed by volunteer otorhinolaryngologists who participated in the 22nd International Rhinocamp Congress. The questionnaire prepared to investigate low back problems contained items to obtain the demographic features of the participants, whether they were performing septorhinoplasty, how many years they had been performing this procedure, whether they had any problem (ache, pain, or discomfort) in the lumbar region, whether they had been hospitalized or had surgery due to this problem, low back pain frequency and intensity, and the presence of low back pathologies (e.g., protrusion, perforated disc, and bulging) detected by magnetic resonance imaging. The research was performed with the participation of 110 otorhinolaryngologists, of whom 37.3% (n = 41) were women and 62.7% (n = 69) were men, 79.1% (n = 87) were performing rhinoplasty surgery, and 69.1% (n = 76) had low back pain. Low back pain was reported in 72.4% (n = 63) of the doctors performing rhinoplasty and 56.5% (n = 13) of those who did not perform this surgery. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of low back pain and whether the doctors performed rhinoplasty surgery (χ2 = 4.151; p = 0.042 [< 0.05]). In addition, the complaints of low back pain were affected by the number of years the doctors had been performing rhinoplasty (p = 0.001 < 0.01). Low back pain was found to be frequent among otorhinolaryngologists performing rhinoplasty. Training, exercises, and performing the operation in a position that will prevent the occurrence of lower back pain can improve quality of life and minimize labor loss caused by pain among rhinoplasty surgeons.

Performance in dynamic movement tasks and occurrence of low back pain in youth floorball and basketball players

BackgroundProspective studies investigating risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in youth athletes are limited. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association between hip-pelvic kinematics and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during landing tasks and LBP in youth floorball and basketball players.MethodsThree-hundred-and-eighty-three Finnish youth female and male floorball and basketball players (mean age 15.7 ± 1.8) participated and were followed up on for 3 years. At the beginning of every study year the players were tested with a single-leg vertical drop jump (SLVDJ) and a vertical drop jump (VDJ). Hip-pelvic kinematics, measured as femur-pelvic angle (FPA) during SLVDJ landing, and peak vGRF and side-to-side asymmetry of vGRF during VDJ landing were the investigated risk factors. Individual exposure time and LBP resulting in time-loss were recorded during the follow-up. Cox’s proportional hazard models with mixed effects and time-varying risk factors were used for analysis.ResultsWe found an increase in the risk for LBP in players with decreased FPA during SLVDJ landing. There was a small increase in risk for LBP with a one-degree decrease in right leg FPA during SLVDJ landing (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17, per one-degree decrease of FPA). Our results showed no significant relationship between risk for LBP and left leg FPA (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.11, per one-degree decrease of FPA), vGRF (HR 1.83, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.51) or vGRF side-to-side difference (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.27) during landing tasks.ConclusionsOur results suggest that there is an association between hip-pelvic kinematics and future LBP. However, we did not find an association between LBP and vGRF. In the future, the association between hip-pelvic kinematics and LBP occurrence should be investigated further with cohort and intervention studies to verify the results from this investigation.Level of evidencePrognosis, level 1b.

Effectiveness of Exercise with Balloon for Low Back Pain in Young Adults: A quasi experimental study

Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder which may be acute, sub acute andchronic in nature. Low back pain is expressed in 42% in adults. Low back pain occurrence is at an early ageand can cause disease progression. Low back pain is due to suboptimal breathing patterns and impairmentsof posture and trunk stability. Many muscles used for the postural control and respiration are same thatis diaphragm, transverses abdominis and muscles comprising the pelvic floor. The diaphragm is the keymuscle for the respiratory pump with attachment from the lower six ribs, xiphoid process of sternum andthe vertebral column. Diaphragm performs both postural and breathing function. Disruption in one functioncould negatively affect the other.Objectives: 1.To find the Effectiveness of 90/90 bridge with ball and balloon exercises and Interferentialtherapy for pain and disability in low back pain among young adults.2. To find the Effectiveness of Interferential therapy for disability and pain in low back pain among youngadults.3. To compare the effectiveness of 90/90 bridge with ball and balloon exercise and Interferential therapytogether and Interferential therapy alone for pain and disability in back pain among young adults.Study Design: A quasi experimental studyMethods: 18 adults who had mechanical low back pain were included in the study. Participants weredivided into 2 groups .Group A received 90/90 bridging with ball and balloon and interferential therapy andGroup B received interferential therapy alone. Exercises were given twice a day for 3 days for 4 weeks. Preand post exercise evaluation is taken by using numerical pain rating scale and Modified Oswestry disabilityindex scale Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using independent T test and paired T test.Result: In both the group there was improvement but there is a significant difference in 90/90 bridge withball and balloon exercise and interferential therapy than the IFT alone among the young adults with lowback pain.Conclusion: This study concludes that there is greater effect of 90/90 bridge with ball and balloon exerciseon patients with mechanical low back pain.

Psychosocial and occupational factors associated with low back pain amongnurses in Saudi Arabia.

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is a major health problem with significant public health and economic burden. Few studies have clarified the role of psychosocial factors in LBP occurrence. In this study, we assessed psychosocial and occupational factors associated with LBP, within the last 12 months, among nurses in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 16 hospitals across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A sample of 427 nurses was surveyed. The anonymous questionnaire contained valid and reliable questions assessing LBP, as pain between the costal margins of the 12th rib and the gluteal folds, and questions related to psychosocial and work‐related factors experienced by the nurses. Descriptive statistics were reported for all variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the likelihood of significant associations between study variables and LBP.ResultsThe prevalence of reported LBP was 80%. Factors associated with LBP in univariate analysis were frequent lifting (OR = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.34‐4.01), work‐related stress (OR = 5.81; 95%CI: 3,37‐9,62), lack of job satisfaction (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.13‐3.85), work‐related problems (OR = 2.40; 95%CI: 1.44‐4.02), and financial problems (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.26‐3.38), while factors that remained significantly associated with LBP in the final multivariate analyses were frequent lifting (OR = 2.04; 95%CI:1.09‐3.81), work‐related stress (OR = 4.22; 95%CI: 2.34‐7.48), and lack of job satisfaction (OR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.24‐3.58).ConclusionThe prevalence of LBP is high in this sector of the health‐care workforce. Ergonomic and psychosocial factors may be considered contributing factors for low back pain. Special attention to stress‐reduction, counseling, and policies to improve job satisfaction are recommended in order reduce LBP and improve the health and safety of nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Managing Low Back Pain in Primary Care.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common pathologies for which patients present for consultation in primary medical practice. The objective of the study was to determine the number of patients with LBP who presented to the general practitioner 's (GP) office between October 2019 and March 2020, to determine risk factors, favoring factors and their correlation with clinical data obtained after performing the clinical examination, with paraclinical data obtained by imaging investigation. 347 patients, aged between 17 and 82 years, were included in the study, presenting a sex ratio of men: women of approximately 2: 1. The main pain symptoms of the patients were: localized pain in the lumbar spine, radicular pain, referred to the lower limbs, subjective sensitivity disorders felt in the lower limbs, distal motor deficit in the lower limbs, paravertebral muscle contractions and the feeling of instability in the low back. The main risk factors were smoking, the existence of a trauma to the lumbar spine, sedentary lifestyle, maintaining a prolonged fixed position and intense physical exercise, either occasionally or daily. Among the patients included in the study, a number of 93 patients required the granting of medical leave both by the attending GP and by other specialists. Regardless of the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the occurrence of LBP, therapeutic management should aim to stop pain symptoms and prevent recurrences.

Occurrence of combined pain in the lumbar spine, pelvic girdle and pubic symphysis among pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil.

To estimate the prevalence and characterize the occurrence of low back pain (LBP), posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) and pubic symphysis pain (PSP) among pregnant women resident in Rio Grande, RS. This was a cross-sectional study of all postpartum women who gave birth in 2016. Two pictures were used to investigate the presence of LBP, PPGP and PSP, both isolated and combined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with each symptom. LBP was reported by 42.2%, PSP by 4.9%, and PPGP by 2%, while LBP + PSP was reported by 9%, LBP and PPGP by 2.8% and PPGP + PSP by 1.1%, and pain in all three regions was reported by 3.9% of the sample. The more advanced the age of the pregnant women, the risk for LBP and of LBP combined with one of the pelvic girdle regions was reduced, while the risk for PPGP + PSP was increased. Depression during pregnancy increased the risk for all symptom combinations. This study provided a detailed description of the occurrence of the evaluated outcomes and its associated factors. Studies like this are rare in Brazil, especially a census with low rates of losses and refusals. The high prevalence of the evaluated symptoms suggests that it should be investigated routinely in prenatal care, taking into account the age of the pregnant women, depressive symptoms and those experiencing combined or intense pain.

Back pain in elementary schoolchildren is related to screen habits.

PurposeVerify the influences of physical activity level, nutritional status and screen habits on the prevalence of back pain in Brazilian students.MethodsThe sample consisted of 577 schoolchildren (female = 274; male = 303) aged between 10 and 16 years old, regularly enrolled in the 6th grade of elementary school living in the metropolitan area of the Alto Tietê of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The prevalence, intensity and frequency of pain was verified with the Back Pain Assessment Instrument. The usual practice of physical activity was verified with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children/Adolescent. Nutritional status was analyzed using Body Mass Index. Screen habits were obtained through a previously structured questionnaire.ResultsThe Chi-square test indicated that pain complaint and its prevalence in the cervical region are significantly higher in females (p < 0.05). The multiple logistic regression test revealed that watching television influences the prevalence of cervical pain and that the use of more than one screen increases the occurrence of low back pain in male students (p < 0.05).ConclusionFemale students were the most affected by back pain complain, especially in the cervical region. However, factors associated with the prevalence of back pain were found only in males.

A Meta-Analysis on the Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in Health Workers

Background: Low back pain is a common prob­lem in global health. Low back pain is very com­monly found with disabilities compared to other con­ditions. Complaints of the musculoskeletal sys­­­­tem are complaints in parts of the skeletal mus­cles that a person feels from very mild to very painful. There is a possible factor that can cause the occurrence of lower back pain in health wor­kers such as length of work in a day. This stu­dy aim­ed to analyze the length of work in a day for health workers. Subjects and Method: This was a meta-ana­ly­sis and systematic study using electronic data­bases of Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scho­lar, and Springer Link. The keywords for search­­ing articles were as follows: risk factor, low back pain, medical person, health workers, Cross Sec­­tional. The articles studied were full-text ar­ti­cles with cross-sectional study design. The arti­cles were collected using PRISMA diagrams and ana­lyzed using the ReviewManager 5.4. Results: Length of work by ³5 years (aOR=­1.­58; 95%­­CI=1.27 to 1.96; p<0.0001) was a factor that could increase the incidence of low back pain in health workers. The result was statistically sig­ni­fi­cant. Tenure of work by ≥6 hours in a day (aOR= ­1.53; 95%CI=0.71 to 3.29; p=0.28) was a factor that could increase the incidence of lower back pain in health workers. However, the result was sta­­tistically non-significant. Conclusion: Longer length of work/day increase the risk of lower back pain in health workers. Keyword s : tenure, low back pain, health workers Correspondence: Muh. Syaiful Akbar. Masters Program in Public Heal­th, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: asyaifulop@gmail.com. Mobile: 0823­25­0­70­569. Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (2020), 05(02): 237-244 https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2020.05.02.11

Sagittal standing spinal alignment and back pain in 8 to 12-year-old children from the Region of Murcia, Spain: The ISQUIOS Program.

The child's spine shows changes in posture and balance of its curvatures during growth and musculoskeletal spinal conditions are likely to develop, such as back pain (BP). The purposes of this study were (a) to describe the sagittal spinal alignment in a relaxed standing position and (b) to analyze its association with BP among 8 to 12-year-old children. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 731 elementary schoolchildren (379 girls and 352 boys), from 16 Spanish schools, participated. An unilevel inclinometer was used to quantify the sagittal spinal curvatures (thoracic and lumbar) in a relaxed standing position. Sagittal spinal morphotype was analyzed by sex, age, weight, height, and BMI. Children's parents or legal guardians filled in a questionnaire according to the children's responses about the BP suffered in the previous week and the preceding year. The mean angular value of thoracic kyphosis was 36.08 ± 8.99∘ and significantly higher in males than in females (p= 0.036). In contrast, the mean value of lumbar lordosis was 32.11 ± 7.46∘, being higher in females than in men (p< 0.01). The thoracic curve tends to increase by age (p= 0.003). Children who had low back pain (LBP) in the previous week had a significantly greater lumbar curve (35.88 ± 8.20∘) than those who did not have LBP in the preceding week (32.24 ± 7.30∘). The angle for lumbar curvature was a small predictor of LBP occurrence in the assessed children (OR = 1.082 [small]; 95% CI = 1.009-1.160, p= 0.028). To conclude, almost 3/4 of the students were classified with normal thoracic kyphosis; however, 27.36% of the students had thoracic hyperkyphosis. Lumbar hyperlordosis was identified in 9.05% of the students, and was 2.5 times more frequent in girls. The lumbar curvature was a small predictor of LBP occurrence in the assessed children and the angle of lumbar curvature that most accurately identified individuals at risk of developing LBP was determined to be 33∘. The results of this study indicate the need to assess sagittal spinal curvatures at school during development ages.

Effectiveness of workplace intervention strategies in lower back pain prevention: a review.

The aim of this study was to identify effective work place intervention strategies for the prevention of low back pain (LBP). The study focused on interventions to two major groups: personal interventions and technical interventions. Data basis were searched for with inclusion criteria: study design based on randomised controlled trial; outcome measures including non-specific LBP occurrence expressed by prevalence or intensity; intervention met the definition of the technical and/or personal (physical exercises, behavioural training, educational) intervention programme. Eighteen papers were selected for full analysis. The diversification of quantitative indicators of differences between control and intervention groups were carried out using Cohen’s d index. The results of analysis showed strong differences in effects among intervention strategies, as well as among different cases within similar intervention strategies. LBP severity before intervention and the length of intervention were discussed as potentially influencing factors. The results of the analysis suggest that the most effective strategies for LBP prevention include technical modifications of the workstand and education based on practical training. Behavioural and physical training seems to be of lesser importance. LBP severity before intervention and the time when the measurements of outcome measures take place play an important role in the effectiveness of intervention.

Baropodometric evaluation of foot load distribution during gait in the group of professionally active nurses.

ObjectivesNurses are extremely exposed to musculoskeletal overloads. Prolonged standing postural balance distributions, functional deficits and pain may affect the symmetry of the load on the feet. The study aimed to assess the distribution of foot load during gait among nurses.MethodsThe sample of this prospective and observational study consisted of 37 female nurses with mean age of 39 years. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate musculoskeletal disturbances and baropodometric gait analysis (BGA) was performed to register distribution of foot load during gait.ResultsWe showed that 68% of nurses declare that they know the principles of workplace ergonomics, but only 14% comply with them. NMQ results indicate that as many as 73% of the respondents feel ailments in the "lower back" area. An asymmetry was observed in the load of IV‐V of the metatarsal head between the left and right foot (P = .000) and in the load of the left and right lateral part of the heel (P = .028) in the BGA test. Correlations between ailments occurring in the neck area and loading of the lateral arch of the right foot (P = .032) were found. Moreover, the load in this area correlated positively with the occurrence of "lower back" pain (P = .045).ConclusionsNurses have asymmetric distribution of foot load during gait, which results in a discrepancy between the loads on the three main support points of the foot and which may affect nurses’ work productivity.

Predictors of low back pain among secondary school teachers in Malaysia: a longitudinal study.

Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent among workers both in developed and developing countries. School teachers represent a high proportion of the working population in Malaysia. However, there is a lack of longitudinal study on predictors and course of LBP among teachers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the predictors and course of LBP among secondary school teachers. Longitudinal data of 701 teachers in Selangor, Malaysia were collected from May 2015 to October 2016. Associations between predictors and LBP were analysed using logistic regression and reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). At 12-month of follow-up, 44% (95%CI: 40.6%, 48.0%) of the participants reported having LBP. In the regression model that included all risk factors, only LBP at baseline (OR 10.43, 95%CI: 6.19, 17.58) was associated with LBP at 12-month follow-up. When LBP at baseline was removed from the model, anxiety symptom (OR 2.51, 95%CI: 1.19, 5.30) and lifting heavy weights (OR 4.16, 95%CI: 1.40, 12.30) were found to be significantly associated with LBP at 12-month follow-up. In conclusion, issues on anxiety and lifting heavy weights should be addressed to reduce the occurrence of LBP despite the presence of health condition itself (LBP at baseline).

Masa Kerja, Sikap Kerja Dan Jenis Kelamin Dengan Keluhan Nyeri Low Back Pain

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the health problems that are often found in the community. Every year 15-45% of adults suffer from low back pain, and one in 20 sufferers must be hospitalized due to acute attacks. Risk factors that influence the occurrence of low back pain include work period, work attitude and gender. This study aims to determine the relationship between Work Period, Work Attitude and Gender with Low Back Pain Pain Complaints in the Neurological Polyclinic of Royal Prima Jambi Hospital. The population in this study were all low back pain sufferers at the Nerve Polyclinic at Royal Prima Jambi Hospital from 425 people in May and sampling was done using accidental sampling technique which amounted to 78 patients. The analysis in this study using the Chi-square test. The results of the analysis show that there is a relationship between Work Period, Work Attitude and Gender with Low Back Pain Complaints in the Neurological Polyclinic of Royal Prima Jambi Hospital with a P-Value value of &amp;lt;0.05. There is a relationship between Work Period, Work Attitude and Gender with Low Back Pain Complaints in the Nerve Polyclinic Royal Prima Jambi Hospital. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Working Period, Work Attitude, Gender, Low Back Pain&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Lombalgia e alterações funcionais em feirantes: um estudo transversal

INTRODUÇÃO: A dor lombar atinge níveis epidêmicos na população em geral, sendo uma das causas de incapacidade funcional e motivo mais comum para a consulta médica. Sua etiologia é multifatorial e os fatores mais comuns para esta sintomatologia envolvem os elementos biomecânicos, ocupacionais e as características individuais. OBJETIVO: investigar a ocorrência das lombalgias e as repercussões funcionais entre os feirantes do setor de hortifruti (varejo). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, de natureza descritiva, com desenho de estudo transversal. Para tanto, aplicou-se o formulário de incapacidades Oswestry (modificado) e para a mensuração da dor,a Escala Visual Analógica. Os dados foram avaliados descritivamente, por meio de frequência absoluta e relativa. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistados 100 feirantes, com a idade média de 43 anos. Destes, 73% apresentam alguma dor ou desconforto na região lombar e para minimizar tal ocorrência, 39,7% faziam uso de remédio oral/tópico sem orientação médica. Com relação às alterações funcionais, 14% apresentam incapacidade intensa. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo permitiu identificar, que os indivíduos com lombalgia, possuíam algum grau de incapacidade que repercutiam no seu contexto de vida.

A longitudinal observational study of back pain incidence, risk factors and occupational physical activity in Swedish marine trainees

ObjectivesTo evaluate the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) and LBP that limits work ability, to identify their potential early risks and to quantify occupational physical activity in Swedish Armed...

Prevalence and Determinants of Low Back Pain among Lecturers: A Quantitative Approach

Introduction: Lower back pain is one of the most common work-related problems among teaching professionals in both developed and developing nations and it often leads to absenteeism or early retirement of workers. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of low back pain among academic staff.&#x0D; Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was adopted. Five faculties were randomly selected in Ekiti State University, Nigeria and a self-structured questionnaire was purposively administered; depending on interest and availability of the respondents. The data was explored and Chi-square analysis alongside binary logistic regression was applied in order to evaluate the relationship between low back pain and some associated factors. Analysis was carried out in SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: This study comprises 127 lecturers with a mean age of (41.95±9.42). There were more males (55.9%) than females. More than thirty six percent of the lecturers had teaching experience below 5 years while 44.9% had 5 to 10 years and 18.9% had above 10 years of teaching experience. The results show that age, gender, prolonged sitting and prolonged standing significantly (p-value &lt;.05) associated with occurrence of low back pain among lecturers while mixed teaching posture serves a protective against low back pain.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results reveal a very high prevalence of low back pain. Findings show that female gender, old age and inappropriate work postures are the risk factors of low back pain. It is suggested that effort should be to ameliorate occupational stress among academic staff.

Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, risk factors and association with daily activities among pregnant women in urban Blantyre, Malawi.

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant musculoskeletal problem during pregnancy with potential to negatively affect the woman's quality of life. Data on LBP among pregnant women in Malawi is almost non-existent. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of LBP and its association with functional activities in pregnant women in Malawi. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Blantyre, Malawi, from December 2017 to January 2018. Participants were drawn from low-risk antenatal clinics in selected local health facilities. Written informed consent was sourced from study participants, permission was granted at each study site and the study received ethics approval from the College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. The association between occurrence of LBP and selected factors was assessed using the Chi-Square test (X2) (α=5%) followed by a multiple logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. We interviewed 404 pregnant women; the mean age of respondents was 25.83 years old (SD: ±5.91). Prevalence of LBP in pregnancy was 62% (n=249); 172 (69%) of these reported LBP for the first time during the current pregnancy. Gestational age was significantly associated with presence of LBP (P= 0.03). LBP was associated with the women's sleep patterns, mobility, lifting techniques and sexual activities. However, a reasonable high proportion of those with LBP (34%) did not seek care for their low back pain. LBP is highly prevalent and an important clinical condition among pregnant women in Blantyre, Malawi. Given the significant effect of LBP on quality of life, health workers need to be proactive in identifying LBP and provide the appropriate management.

Relationship Between Hip Extensor Strength and Back Extensor Length in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hip extensor strength and back extensor length in patients with low back pain (LBP) and healthy controls. MethodsIn 266 patients with LBP and 215 matched controls, back extensor length and hip extensor strength were measured and compared in the 2 groups using an independent t test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine correlation between these 2 variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the risk of sustaining LBP with having these muscle insufficiencies. ResultsA significant difference in hip extensor strength was found between patients with LBP and controls (P < .001). Back extensor length was different in healthy men compared with the patients with LBP (P < .001) but was not significant between women with and without LBP (P = .34). The results showed a significant relationship between back extensor length and hip extensor strength in men with LBP (r = 0.6, P = .01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that having a weak hip extensor (P = .001) or shortened back extensor (P = .01) could increase the risk of LBP occurrence. ConclusionThe findings support the assumptions of the presence of muscle imbalance of hip extensor weakness and back extensor tightness in male patients with LBP and that each muscle impairment may contribute to LBP.