Low Back Pain Among Ethnic Pregnant Women

A cross sectional study was conducted to identify the state of low back pain and associated factors among ethnic pregnant women in Bangladesh. Considering time period and resource availability, cross-sectional analytical study design was most feasible for this study. The subjects were selected conveniently and conducted among 230 pregnant women residing in Rangamati hilly district. Face to face interview was carried out. Low back pain status was determined by taking history and conducting physical examination. Medical records were checked if available. Majority of the respondents (31.7%) completed HSC followed by graduation 22.6%, primary 21.3%, SSC 13.0% and post-graduate 1.7% and most of them were housewives. Prevalence of low back pain was 66.10%. Acute and sub-acute pain was nearly equal distribution i.e 49.70% and 48.40%. Localized low back pain was widely prevalent (79.90%) followed by referred pain (15.60%) and radiating pain (4.50%). Statistical strong significant association was found between trimester and low back pain. Wide prevalence of low back pain was seen among pregnant ethnic women which was acute and sub-acute in nature as well as localized.

Pregnancy related low back pain is a common complaint among pregnant women. It can potentially have a negative impact on their quality of life. The majority of women are affected in their first pregnancy.1 Eighty percent of women suffering from LBP claim that it affects their daily routine and 10% of them report that they are unable to work.2 Twenty percent of pregnant women will experience PGP. Pregnancy related LBP usually begins between the 20th and the 28th week of gestation, however it may have an earlier onset. The duration varies. A study about PGP in Netherlands shows that 38% of women still have symptoms at 3 months postpartum and 13.8% at 12 months.3 LBP during pregnancy is considered to be the most important risk factor for postpartum LBP and the existing literature supports LBP as the leading reason for sick leave, as far as pregnant working women are concerned.4 Bangladesh has a number of ethnic minor group population and they lead their life in great ethnic diverse fashion. They constitute about 1% of total population. They are distributed in scattered way all over the hilly, riverine and dense forest region of the country. Ethnic people are distinct from Bengali people by their ethnic origin, culture, feeding practice, literacy rate and profession. Locally, there is no literature on pregnancy and low back pain (LBP) among ethnic pregnant women.

Study design: Cross-sectional analytical study design.

Study Period: January to June, 2023.

Study place: This study was conducted in Rangamati hilly district.

Study population: Ethnic pregnant women live in Rangamati sadar upazila of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Sampling technique: Non-probability convenient sampling was used to collect study subjects.

Data processing and analysis: After administering questionnaire, data were checked for consistency. Individual sheet was checked and cleaned to avoid any error. Data were categorized and coded during entry into the SPSS software. Collected data were analyzed by computer technology SPSS version 22.0. Collected information was presented in the form of tables and graphs. Descriptive statistics (mean, SD, frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (Chi-square) were used. 

Limitations of the Study: During the course of my study, I had to face some limitations. As I had to depend on the verbal response of the respondents, there might have been some discrepancy on their income level. There might have a bit of inaccuracy in collected information because I had to depend on their history and physical examination. Radiological and pathological examination were absent in some cases.   

This analytical study was conducted in Rangamati sadar upazila in order to determine pattern of low back pain and associated factors among ethnic pregnant women in Bangladesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. A total of 230 ethnic pregnant women were interviewed to collect the data. All the data were entered and analyzed by using statistical packages for social science (SPSS) software version 22.0.

Table 1: Age group of the study subjects 

Table 1 reveals that average age of the respondents was 26.21±4.73 years. Majority of the subjects (81.7%) belonged to 19-29 years and 18.3 percentage belonged to 30-39 years.

Figure 1: Prevalence of low back pain

It is revealed that prevalence of low back pain was quite double (66.10%) than who did not have the sufferings (33.90%).

Figure 2: Nature of low back pain

Figure 2 reveals that acute and sub-acute pain was nearly equal distribution i.e 49.70% and 48.40%. Prevalence of chronic pain was 2%. 

Figure 3: Magnitude of pain

Figure 3 shows that localized low back pain was widely prevalent (79.90%) followed by referred pain (15.60%) and radiating pain (4.50%).

Figure 4: Type of low back pain

Of the respondents, intermittent pain was quite double (62.30%) than constant pain (37.70%).

Table 2: Association between age group and low back pain 

No statistically significant association was found between age group and low back pain. 

Table 3: Association between occupation and low back pain 

No statistically significant association was found between occupation and low back pain.

Table 4: Association between monthly family income and low back pain 

No statistically significant association was found between monthly family income and low back pain.

Table 5: Association between trimester and low back pain 

Statistical strong significant association was found between trimester and low back pain.

The present study reveals that average age of the respondents was 26.21±4.73 years. Majority of the subjects (81.7%) belonged to 19-29 years and 18.3

The study concludes that most of the ethnic pregnant women suffer from low back pain. Acute and sub-acute pain among the pregnant women was nearly equal distribution. But prevalence of chronic pain very insignificant among them. The study revealed that localized low back pain was widely prevalent followed by referred pain and radiating pain. Of the respondents, intermittent pain was quite double than constant pain. No statistically significant association was found between monthly family income and low back pain. In the study statistical strong significant association was found between trimester and low back pain. It is shown in the study that localized low back pain was widely prevalent followed by referred pain and radiating pain.