PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF LOWER BACK PAIN AMONG FEMALES OF RURAL AND URBAN AREAS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Lower back pain, women’s health, rural and urban populations, risk factors, physical activity, sleep hygiene, ergonomic stress, Pakistan, cross-sectional study.
Abstract
Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, disproportionately affecting women due to physiological, occupational, and lifestyle factors. Despite its prevalence, region-specific data on female LBP in both rural and urban settings remain limited in Pakistan.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of lower back pain among females in rural and urban populations.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2023 to January 2025 at Al-Rehman Clinic, Mianwali, Pakistan, n=154 adult female participants. Data were collected using a physician-designed questionnaire that assessed pain location, lifestyle, occupation, sleep patterns, dairy intake, and family history. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with descriptive and cross-tab analyses presented in both tabular and graphical forms.
Results: The prevalence of lower back pain was 77.3%, with higher rates among women aged 25–54, those with sedentary or physically intensive occupations, poor sleep quality, and low physical activity. Urban and rural women both exhibited high LBP rates, with subtle variations in pain distribution. Neither dairy consumption nor family history showed significant protective associations.
Conclusion: LBP is highly prevalent among females across diverse settings, primarily driven by modifiable behavioral and occupational factors. Interventions promoting physical activity, ergonomic awareness, and sleep hygiene are urgently needed to reduce the burden and improve women’s musculoskeletal health.
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Muhammad Saad ur Rehman
General Physician, Al-Rehman Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan
Sidra Noor
Internal Medicine Resident (Year 3), Memon Medical Institute Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Ali Ahmed
Anesthetist, THQ Hospital, Zafarwal, Punjab, Pakistan
Aima Raza Bukhari
Final Year MBBS Student, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Hajra Mushtaq
Final Year MBBS Student, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Waqas Qurshi
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, ABWA Medical College, Khurrianwala, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Razia Batool
Lab Incharge / Lecturer, Department of Forensic Medicine, Sahara Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan
Shamshad Gull
Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, The Sahara College, Narowal, Pakistan
Syed Muhammad Ahtisham Ul Hassan
Final Year DPT Student, Islam College of Physical Therapy, Sialkot, Pakistan
Quratulaain Zohra
Senior Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology, The Sahara College, Narowal, Pakistan
Aqeela Kousar
Lab Incharge / Senior Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Sahara Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan