Rattaporn Sihawong. Low back pain among high school students in Bangkoknoi district : prevalence and risk factors . Master's Degree(Physical Therapy). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Low back pain among high school students in Bangkoknoi district : prevalence and risk factors
Abstract:
This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to determine risk factors for LBP among high school students aged 14-18 years from mixed-gender government high schools in Bangkoknoi district. A total of 1,989 students from 5 schools completed the prevalence questionnaires to determine the prevalence of LBP. Moreover, 200 students from 4 participating schools were recruited to determine the risk factors for LBP using the risk factor questionnaire and 11 physical measurements. The results regarding the prevalence of LBP showed that point prevalence was 15.8%, 1-week prevalence was 23.8%, 1-month prevalence was 34.9%, 1-year prevalence was 50.8% and lifetime prevalence was 61.7%. Moreover, the results revealed that the following factors schoolbag weight (p=0.007), hand-carrying of schoolbag (OR=1.949, 95%CI=1.082-3.510, p=0.025), swimming (OR=7.089, 95%CI=0.865-58.096, p=0.042), watching television (OR=2.924, 95%CI=0.977-8.755, p=0.046), total time playing sports more than 50 minutes (OR=1.896, 95%CI=1.003-3.584, p=0.048) and trunk flexor muscle endurance (OR=1.886, 95%CI=1.071-3.321, p=0.027) were positives associated with LBP. However, there was a negative association between playing table tennis and LBP (OR=0.189, 95%CI=0.052-0.728, p=0.008). In conclusion, this study showed that the prevalence of LBP of Thai high school students in Bangkoknoi district was high. Moreover, schoolbag weight, hand carrying schoolbag, swimming, watching television, total time playing sports more than 50 minutes and trunk flexor muscle endurance were risk factors for LBP. However, playing table tennis was a protective factor for LBP. The data obtained from this study shows the prevalence rate of LBP and the risk factors affecting LBP. The information on risk factors is useful for preventing LBP in Thai high school students, and in turn, for preventing disability in adults due to LBP.