Prevalence, associated factors, and functional impact of low back pain among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder during pregnancy that can affect quality of life. While extensively studied in high-income countries, data from sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, identify associated factors, and assess the impact of LBP among pregnant women in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2024 in 11 primary healthcare centers across five health districts of Ouagadougou. Pregnant women receiving antenatal care were consecutively recruited. Data, including sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and the Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI), were collected via standardized questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with LBP. RESULTS: Among the 1,159 pregnant women (mean age 26.86 ± 5.91 years), the prevalence of LBP was 21.83%. The mean PMI was 13.31 ± 9.40. Although 45.42% of women reported reduced activity levels, 71.71% considered their LBP to be nonsignificant. Multivariable analysis identified urban residence (aOR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.20-2.93, p = 0.007), low activity level (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.14-2.15, p = 0.006), and personal history of low back pain (aOR: 14.89, 95% CI: 9.64-23.53, p < 0.001) as associated factors for LBP. CONCLUSION: Although LBP affects one in five pregnant women in Ouagadougou, it is often considered nonsignificant despite its impact on daily activities. Urban residence, reduced activity level, and personal history of low back pain emerged as key associated factors.