Prevalence of low back pain among physical therapists in Kuwait

To determine the life and point prevalence rates and study the characteristics of work-related and non-work-related low back pain (LBP) among physical therapists in Kuwait and its effect on their regular activities.

A specially designed self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 143 physical therapists in Kuwait. The questionnaire included demographic data, history and characteristics of LBP before and after working as a physical therapist, the effect of LBP on regular activities and current LBP. A visual analogue scale was used to score the intensity of the pain.

One hundred (70%) of the 143 physical therapists completed the questionnaire; mean age and standard deviation of the respondents were 35.9 +/- 8.45 years. The lifetime prevalence of work-related LBP was 70% (61.8% in males and 74.2% in females) and the point (current) prevalence rate was 57% (31.6% in males and 68.4% in females). All the 100 therapists were college graduates who worked full-time and 82% were employed in general hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The most common areas of specialty were orthopedics (32%) and neurology (23%). Fifty percent reported that LBP affected their regular activities, 28.6% reported limitation due to pain and 11.4% changed their work settings because of LBP. The main site of pain was at low back and buttocks. Pain intensity was scored similarly among male and female physical therapists.

Work-related and point prevalence rates of LBP among physical therapists in Kuwait are high and affect their daily activities, necessitating changes in work settings.