Prevalence of Low Back Pain: Non-Working Women in Kanpur City, India

Abstract Objectives: In the Indian social structure, as in many other countries and regions across the globe, housewives form the nucleus of their family. They have a nonstop hectic full day assignment in the home, and yet their contribution has neither been adequately acknowledged, nor has it received due attention of researchers. The aim and objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Low Back Pain (LBP) in non-working women of Kanpur city. Also, an attempt has been made to find the amount of social burden and its impact on LBP present in housewives of Kanpur city. Method: A sample of 300 non-working women of Kanpur city, aged 25 to 70 years, was selected. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, and Zarit Burden Interview measuring musculoskeletal discomfort, low back disability and social burden respectively were given to all the women. Results: Descriptive analysis data reveal the recent episode of LBP were present in 93% of the women, 82% had chronic LBP and 71% of women reported restriction in their normal activity of daily living due to their pain in last 12 months. The Oswestry Disability Index data revealed that more than 55% of women reported moderate disability due to pain. Correlation analysis showed that disability due to LBP has a significant correlation with social burden. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed alarming information regarding the prevalence of LBP in housewives of Kanpur city. Due to its significant correlation with disability and social burden, LBP plays a crucial role in the overall health status of housewives.