Low back pain and associated risk factors among medical students in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Different studies showed the high prevalence of LBP among medical students. However, no study has been conducted on Bangladeshi medical students. Objective: This study evaluated the prevalence, characteristics, and associated risk factors among medical students in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 among randomly selected 240 medical students and medical interns in Faridpur Medical College, Bangladesh, using an online questionnaire. In data analysis, chi-square test and binary logistic regression were performed, and a p-value of &lt; 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 207 participants responded, with a response rate of 82.8%. The mean age of the participants was 22.36 ± 1.915 years. The point, 6-month, and 12-month prevalence of LBP was 25.6%, 46.9%, and 63.3%, respectively. In most participants, LBP was localized (53.2%), recurrent (64.9%), undiagnosed (70.8%), affected for a short period (55%), and relieved without taking any treatment (60.4%). Participants who had a significantly higher 12-month prevalence of LBP included females (72.2% vs 52.2%), with BMI &gt;25 kg/m2 (73.2% vs 56.7%), those who performed physical activity at low to moderate frequency (72.4% vs 29.5%), those who spent &gt; 6 hours/day by sitting (71.3% vs 45.3%), and those who did not have enough rest time (92.7% vs 56%). Ergonomic features of chairs, such as having back support, adjustable back support, and adjustable sitting surface, significantly (p &lt; 0.05) influenced the outcomes. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among medical students in Bangladesh was high, and most of the risk factors associated with the high prevalence of LBP were modifiable. Hence, LBP can be prevented by implementing preventive strategies and providing ergonomic training and physical activity facilities.背景：腰痛（Low back pain, LBP）是全球范围内导致残疾的主要原因之一。多项研究表明，医学生群体中腰痛的患病率居高不下，但目前尚无针对孟加拉国医学生的相关研究。 目的：本研究旨在评估孟加拉国医学生腰痛的患病率、临床特征及相关危险因素。 材料与方法：本研究于2020年10月至12月间，采用线上问卷调查方式，在孟加拉国法里德普尔医学院随机选取240名医学生及住院医师开展横断面研究。数据分析采用卡方检验与二元logistic回归，以P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义。 结果：本研究共回收有效问卷207份，有效回收率为82.8%。研究对象的平均年龄为22.36±1.915岁。腰痛的时点患病率、6个月患病率及12个月患病率分别为25.6%、46.9%与63.3%。多数研究对象的腰痛表现为局限性（53.2%）、复发性（64.9%）、未确诊（70.8%）、病程较短（55%）且未经治疗即可缓解（60.4%）。12个月腰痛患病率显著更高的人群包括：女性（72.2% vs 52.2%）、体重指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）>25kg/m²者（73.2% vs 56.7%）、低至中等频率进行体力活动者（72.4% vs 29.5%）、每日久坐时长超过6小时者（71.3% vs 45.3%）以及休息时间不足者（92.7% vs 56%）。座椅的人体工学设计，如配备靠背支撑、可调节靠背及可调节座面，均对研究结果产生显著影响（P<0.05）。 结论：孟加拉国医学生群体的腰痛患病率较高，且多数与高患病率相关的危险因素均为可干预因素。因此，可通过制定预防策略、开展人体工学培训以及提供体力活动设施来预防腰痛的发生。