Volume 24, Issue 103, May - June, 2020

Prevalence and risk factors associated with low back pain among medical students in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Mohammad Arshad Ikram^1♦, Ismail Burud², Sunantha G. Gobu³, Shantiyaa K. Ravendran⁴, Poh Jwo Lin⁵, Saiyidah Aisyah Mohd Adibi⁶

¹Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Department, International Medical University, Clinical Campus, Seremban, Malaysia.70300; Email: mohammadarshad@imu.edu.my
²Senior Lecturer, Department of Surgery, International Medical University, Clinical Campus, Seremban, Malaysia, 70300; Email: ismail_burud@imu.edu.my
³Fourth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia; Email: sunantha.gobu@student.imu.edu.my
⁴Fourth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia; Email: shantiyaa.ravendran@student.imu.edu.my
⁵Fourth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia; Email: Poh.jwolin@student.imu.edu.my
⁶Fourth Year Medical Student, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia; Email: saiyidah.aisyah@student.imu.edu.my

^♦Corresponding author
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Department, International Medical University, Clinical Campus, Seremban, Malaysia; Email: mohammadarshad@imu.edu.my

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, the risk factors for low back pain and its impact among medical students at International Medical University, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 339 participants, using convenience sampling from undergraduate medical students (aged 17-28 years) was carried out. The sample size was calculated using Open Epi software. We used a validated questionnaire including the Revised Oswestry Disability Index to collect data. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence of low back pain was 25.4%. The acute pain of less than 12 weeks was noted in 48.5%, while chronic low back pain of more than 12 weeks reported in 19.5% of the students. The prevalence of low back pain during the pre-clinical and clinical phase was 53.6% and 14.5% respectively. Association was found between LBP and body posture (39.3%), bad mattress (31.4%), long hours sitting and standing at university (28.1%) and carrying backpacks (24.9%). Other reported factors were playing outdoor sports, weather, mental stress during the examination period, use of PC/laptops, fatigue, and lack of exercise. Minimal disability was found in 205 participants (60.5%), moderate disability in 22 students (6.5%) and severe disability in 3 students (0.9%). The high prevalence of low back pain among medical students and its association with improper body posture emphasizes the need for accurate guidance to students regarding correct standing, sitting, lying, and bending postures. Conclusion: The prevalence of low back pain among students at International Medical University is high (68%), especially in pre-clinical medical students. Identifying risk factors early will minimize the prevalence of LBP and progression to a chronic disease, thereby improving an individual's quality of life and increasing productivity.

Keywords: Low back pain, prevalence, risk factors, medical students

Medical Science, 2020, 24(103), 1677-1683

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