Risk Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among Pregnant Women in Pakistan

Abstract   Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by axial or parasagittal pain in the lower lumbar region that can occur during pregnancy. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the risk factors related to low backache among women during pregnancy. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 148 pregnant women. A questionnaire used to gather demographic information, patients’ characteristics, standard of living and incidence was designed for the study. Visual analogue scale was used to measure the severity of pain while the Roland Morris disability questionnaire was used to determine the effects of low back pain on activities of daily life in pregnant women. Results: Low back pain in previous pregnancies has a strong association with the onset of low back pain (p=0.001). Women who experienced backache during menstruation was least expected to have low back pain. (p<0.001). Women who were younger at age were more prone to have low backache (p=0.001). According to the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire 60% of pregnant women with LBP experienced mild disability, 30% of pregnant women with low back pain experienced moderate disability and only 10% of them experienced severe disability. Conclusion: Factors that have great impact on occurrence of backache during pregnancy are lack of physical activity, back pain during menstruation, younger age, and occurrence of low back pain in previous pregnancies. Most women with low back pain experienced mild to moderate disability during pregnancy. *Corresponding Author: Farwa Amjad, University Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; Email: 70101376@student.uol.edu.pk Citation: Amjad F. 2021. Risk factors associated with low back pain among pregnant women in Pakistan. The healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, 1(2):49-57.