ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN AND ITS SEVERITY ALONG WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS THAT EXACERBATE THE RISK OF LBP AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract 

Low back pain is a debilitating condition that causes discomfort, anguish, and disability to the sufferer. The aim of the study was to better explore the prevalence of Low Back Pain, its severity, and identification of risk factors that exacerbate the menace of LBP among the students at Jazan University. The study used convenience non-probability sampling to conduct a cross-sectional study during the study period (10 April 2023 to May 2023). The data collection instrument was a self-designed questionnaire piloted and then disseminated in printed format to the students of Jazan University. Out of 200 students from Jazan University, 90 (45%) reported experiencing LBP. However, only 57 out of the 90 participants (63%) sought medical care for their condition. Regarding the type of LBP, 18.9% suffered from chronic, 63.3% from sub-acute, and 17.8% from acute LBP. Moreover, the intensity was moderate in 52.2% and severe in 21.1% of participants. Weight, psychological factors, and number of sleep hours/night could be the risk factors associated with LBP. 27.8% of participants were overweight among those who experienced LBP past year. Of the study population, 93% knew about the relationship between LBP and incorrect sitting posture. However, only 48% of the population practised taking short breaks during their studies and moving around. This study was a balanced one in terms of the study population as it included an almost equal proportion of students from allied health sciences and community colleges. There should be some informative campaigns that will make students more aware of the long-term side effects of LBP. Moreover, feasible interventions should be incorporated in colleges and workplaces to prevent LBP, injuries to the back due to chronic LBP, and to avoid mental health problems. However, the present study was conducted on university students, but studies should be performed on other sectors of society so that the actual prevalence of LBP can be estimated.