Factors associated with low back pain among construction workers in Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Prevalence of acute low back pain with risk of long-term disability and its correlates among medical students: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is responsible for the highest number of years lived with disability globally. There is a paucity of data regarding the same among medical students. So, this study was planned to estimate the prevalence of acute LBP having a high propensity to develop into chronic one as well as to determine associated correlates among medical students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 medical students at a tertiary hospital using an Acute Low Back Pain Screening Questionnaire (ALBPSQ) to identify individuals with LBP and having a high risk of developing a long-term disability. ALBPSQ is a 21-question-based biopsychosocial screening instrument for identifying patients at risk of chronicity. ALBPSQ scores have been found to be significantly associated with pain and functional disability. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple binary logistic regression have been performed through SPSS-22 software.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LBP having the propensity to develop into a long-term disability was found to be 14.3% (95% CI: 10.6-18.8). In bivariate analysis, higher age, no exercise, higher screen time, mental stress, studying in bed, abnormal posture, alcohol intake, tobacco use, positive family history, greater screen time per day, and more time spent in a sitting posture are significant with LBP. Stress ((adjusted odds ratio) AOR: 4.37, 95% CI: 1.79-10.68)), abnormally bent standing posture (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3-10.6), and positive family of LBP (AOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3-10.1) were found to be independent predictors of LBP among medical students.

CONCLUSION

Among medical students, every 15 out of 100 have a low back problem with chances of long-term disability. These students require early intervention to avoid long-term disability. Abnormal stooping posture, psychological stress, and positive family history of low pain might independently lead to LBP.

Frequency of Low Back Pain and Its Association with Functional Ability in Engineers

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common health problem among workers; most workers experience this issue during their lives. There are some psycho-social factors interlinked with LBP including hostile work environments, long working hours & overtime working hours. Objective: To determine the frequency of low back pain in engineers and to evaluate the association between functional ability and low back pain in engineers. Methods: A descriptive Cross-Sectional study was conducted, and the data were collected through a convenient sampling technique from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Malakand. The duration of the study was 6 months after synopsis approval. Data collection were done using a self-structured questionnaire containing demographic data and clinical characteristics. Visual analogue scale for pain (VAS pain) and Back pain functional scale (BPFS) were used to assess pain and functional abilities. Results: There were 85.9% Males and 24.1% females in this study. The point prevalence of LBP was 36.7% and the 12-month prevalence was 63.3%. There was a moderate association found between the severity of LBP and functional ability [(r= -0.59), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: The study concluded that the prevalence of LBP is found in engineers. A moderately significant association was found between the severity of LBP and functional ability in engineers.