Caring for Others, Neglecting Themselves? Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in Medical Postgraduates

Low back pain (LBP) is a widely recognized and prevalent health issue, ranking among the leading causes of activity limitation and work absenteeism worldwide. It poses both social and economic challenges and affects individuals across all age groups globally. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and identify the associated risk factors of LBP among postgraduate medical residents in a tertiary healthcare setting.

A self-administered, pretested, structured questionnaire was completed by 195 students with questions regarding general demographic information as well as specific work-related risk factors causing LBP.

Lifetime prevalence of LBP was found to be 17.4%, 1-year prevalence was 67.2%, and 15.4% were suffering from LBP at the point of filling out the questionnaire. Significant associations of LBP were found with the role of exercise, lifestyle of residents, work satisfaction, and the level of anxiety. Important risk factors for LBP among postgraduate residents were long hours of sitting and working (74.4%), improper body posture (72.8%), fatigue (64.6%), and bad mattress (53.8%). Factors aggravating LBP among residents are mostly the procedures performed in the ward which required forward bending (45%), disturbed sleeping posture (21%), lifting heavy weight (20%), and prolonged sitting on chair (14%).

Postgraduate medical population has an alarmingly high prevalence of LBP. Important steps need to be taken to tackle this emerging occupational hazard.