Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Its Associated Factors Among Medical Students at Nineveh University in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cureus
Jul 30, 2024

Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Its Associated Factors Among Medical Students at Nineveh University in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study


Abstract

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem encountered in medical practice, leading to limitations in daily activities and causing social and economic hardships.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of LBP and its associated factors among medical students at Nineveh University in Iraq.

Methods

Between December 2022 and January 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at Nineveh University. A modified version of the Standard Nordic Questionnaire was used for data collection.

Results

Out of 308 students, 229 (74.4%) experienced LBP at some point in their lives. In addition, 209 (67.9%) reported having LBP during the last 12 months, 148 (48.1%) during the previous seven days, and 126 (40.9%) at the time of answering the survey. Factors significantly associated with LBP during the last 12 months were being in the fifth-stage academic year (p=0.047), family history of LBP (p=0.003), and history of trauma (p=0.006). On the multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with LBP during the last 12 months were family history of LBP (p=0.02) and history of trauma (p=0.01).

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