Prevalence of low back pain among peasant farmers in a rural community in South South Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and predominant causes of low back pain (LBP) among peasant farmers in Ebubu community in South-south Nigeria. METHODS: This was a community based cross-sectional study of 310 consenting, adult, full-time farmers, recruited using a two-stage cluster sampling scheme developed by WHO. Specially trained community health extension workers interviewed participants using a pre-tested questionnaire designed by the authors to solicit information on defined LBP. Socio-demographic characteristics were also obtained. A clinical history was recorded, including: duration of LBP and mode of onset, pain severity, knowledge of LBP causes and care-seeking practices. Participants' BMI were calculated. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences v15 (www.spss.com). RESULTS: Of the 310 apparently healthy farmers (age range 18-58 years [mean 36.71±8.98]; 132 males) sampled, 208 had LBP (67.10%). Low back pain was more prevalent in the 31-40 years age group (49.04%), females (50.96%), those who were non-obese (68.95%) or tall (73.2%) and those who had practiced farming for a long duration. Severe LBP was significantly (p<0.05) linked to aging (51-60 years group), low BMI and those above average height (1.60 m). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that LBP is a prevalent health problem among rural peasant farmers. It was more prevalent in the middle-aged groups, and among females, the non-obese and tall individuals, and those who had been farming for a long duration. Severe LBP was linked to aging, high BMI and those above average height.