PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN AND ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG RESIDENTS IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY

Abstract

Low Back Pain (LBP) constitutes a public health problem with more than 84% of the worldwide population experiencing LBP at least once during their lifetime. LBP has a greater impact on Quality of Life (QoL) compared to other chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma. The biggest increase in LBP prevalence is predicted in developing countries where LBP would be an economical burden to all concerned. Majority of previous studies on LBP have been in occupational or hospital based settings and are limited by lack of representativeness. This study determined the prevalence of LBP and predisposing factors in an urban Nigerian community, as well as, the assessment of QoL among LBP sufferers. The study was a cross-sectional household survey and 741 subjects were randomly selected using a 4-stage sampling technique. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, LBP prevalence and predisposing factors. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to obtain data on QoL from 231 respondents who reported LBP as at the time of the survey. Association between categorical variables and LBP was analyzed using the Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression model (a=0.05). Linear regression was used to assess the QoL domain scores among LBP sufferers. Level of significance was set at 5%. Mean age of the sample was 41.32 ± 15.24 years that comprised 46.6% males and 53.4% females. Over half (58.2%) of the respondents were married. The highest proportion (42.5%) had secondary school education. The point, annual, and lifetime prevalence of LBP was 31.2%, 61.1%, 70.6% respectively. The mean number of days taken off work due to LBP was 3 .13 ± 3 .12 days. Variables which remained significant associated with LBP on multiple logistic regression analysis included being 2:40 years (OR=3.63, 95% CI=l .43 - 9.11 ), occupations as an artisan (OR=5.40, 95% CI=l.65 - 17.64), occupation as a trader (OR=4.03, 95% CI=l .48 - 11.00), continuous sitting for more than 3 - 4 hours (OR=5.55, 95% CI=2.55 - 12.09), transport duration to/from work 2:30 minutes (OR=6.106, 95% CI=3.04 - 12.09), computer use (OR=7.07, 95% CI=3.01 - 16.60), previous history of trauma (OR=2.72, 95% CI=l.02 - 7.26), never attending a health talk on back care (OR=4.89, 95% CI=2.12 - 11.28), ever smoked (OR=4.96, 95% CI=l.58 - 15.63) , exercising occasionally (OR=3.60, 95% CI=l.59 - 8.14), and never exercising (OR=43.28, 95 CI=4.86 - 137.93). Compared to the other domains, the Physical Health domain was the most affected with a mean score of 54.12 (SD=± 12.21 ). The findings from this study show that LBP is common among individuals in the study area. Interventions on LBP prevention in Ibadan South-West Local Government should target risk factors correction such as poor posture, inappropriate computer use, physical inactivity and lack of information on LBP.