KNOWLEDGE OF LOW BACK PAIN AMONG STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

Abstract

Low back pain(LBP) is a pattern of symptom that limits peoples’ functional activities and performance. Generally, there is a misconception that musculoskeletal condition affects older adults only and several studies have been carried out on this population. Contrarily, it was found among young population also and may increase the potential risks for chronic and recurrent LBP in adulthood. Therefore, this study investigated knowledge of low back pain among students in University of Ibadan. This descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among students in University of Ibadan. The study estimated sample size was 410 using Leslie-Kish formula. The study participants were selected using 5-stage sampling method. A semi-structured self administered questionnaire consisting four sections were used to elicit information on socio-demographic, knowledge of low back pain, occurrence of low back pain and exposure to risk factors of low back pain among respondents. The questionnaire including a 30-point knowledge scale was used to assess respondents’ level of knowledge of low back pain; knowledge score 0 ≤ 12 was regarded as poor, >12 ≤ 19 as fair and >19 was regarded as good knowledge. WHO, (2017) Body Mass Index(BMI) classifications was adopted. Respondents’ BMI was determined by calculating weight/height2 (kg/m2). A bathroom scale with standard metric unit measure(kilogram) was used to determine the weight while wall mounted stadiometer was used to determine the height in linear measure(meter). The occurence of low back pain was measured in frequency. Data were collected by the researcher and trained research assistants. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at the significant level of p<0.05. The age distribution of respondent was 24.5±5.4 years. Many (55.2%) of the respondents were females. Majority (70.6%) had normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ). Majority (77.7%) reported that old people only do not have low back pain and majority (78.1%) perceived that younger people do have low back pain. Many (55.6%) reported ever experienced low back pain and few (34.4%) had it more than 1 month ago prior this study. Although, majority (66.5%) reported not having low back pain at the time of interview but some (48.6%) had low back pain once in the past two weeks and majority (67.3%) had just an experience in past one month. Majority (86.3%) have not been absent from lecture due to low back pain in the past years. However, few (36.8%) among those who were absent from lecture, were absent for 1 day only. Majority (85.0%) kept poor postures while 78.3% lack exercises. Many of the respondents had fair knowledge and high occurence of low back pain. Knowledge influences the occurrence of low back pain which may overwhelm a generation of young people. Therefore, there is a need to improve knowledge through interventions by applying Health Promotion and Education Strategies such as Health Education through seminars and Behavioural Change Communication(BCC) by using posters, Short Messages Services(SMS) and billboards. These will help to provide essential and adequate health information that will transform into good knowledge and healthy practices among the young population especially, University students.