Prevalence and Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With a Current Episode of Low Back Pain Among Adults With a Previous History of Low Back Pain: A Cross-sectional Study of Market Traders in an African Population

Chinonso Nwamaka Igwesi-Chidobe; Confidence N Ifeanyichukwu; Joshua P Okorie; Muhammad Faisal; Benjamin C Ozumba

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104526

Prevalence and Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With a Current Episode of Low Back Pain Among Adults With a Previous History of Low Back Pain: A Cross-sectional Study of Market Traders in an African Population

J Pain. 2024 Apr 8:104526. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104526. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chinonso Nwamaka Igwesi-Chidobe¹, Confidence N Ifeanyichukwu², Joshua P Okorie², Muhammad Faisal³, Benjamin C Ozumba⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Allied Health Professions and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom; Global Population Health (GPH) Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Electronic address: c.igwesi-chidobe@bradford.ac.uk.
² Global Population Health (GPH) Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
³ Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom.
⁴ Global Population Health (GPH) Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.

PMID: 38599267
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104526

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of years lived with disability globally, with Nigeria having one of the greatest burdens. A current episode of LBP is important in Nigeria, but the associated factors are unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors associated with a current episode of LBP among 700 adult market traders with previous LBP in an urban Nigerian population. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. The prevalence of a current episode of LBP was 76.4%. Factors associated with an increased risk of a current episode of LBP in a decreasing order of importance were exposure to biomechanical factors (aggregate [total] score) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.535; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.398-1.685); anxiety (OR = 1.182; 95% CI = 1.089-1.282); fear-avoidance beliefs (physical activity) (OR = 1.139; 95% CI = 1.029-1.261); fear-avoidance beliefs (work) (OR = 1.105; 95% CI = 1.047-1.165); while factors associated with a reduced risk of a current episode of LBP were ability to take breaks in the job in addition to scheduled breaks (OR = .430; 95% CI = .240-.773) and ability to control the order and pace of tasks (OR = .477; 95% CI = .236-.965). Occupational biomechanical and psychosocial factors were associated with a current episode of LBP in logistic regression models explaining 52.7% and 73.1% of the variation in a current episode of LBP. Occupational biomechanical factors, particularly handling large and bulky objects at arm's length and kneeling and squatting, produced the greatest risk of a current episode of LBP. PERSPECTIVE: Occupational biomechanical factors, occupational psychosocial factors, and personal psychosocial factors such as anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with a current episode of LBP in Nigeria. Pragmatic public health and occupational health initiatives that modify exposure to these factors may be required in Nigeria.

Keywords: Current episode of low back pain; Nigeria; occupational biomechanical factors; prevalence; psychosocial factors.