Incidence of back pain among women of child bearing age and its management during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: There is a dearth of studies on history of back pain (BP) among women of child bearing age in Nigeria. The aims of this study were to investigate the history of incidence of BP among women of child bearing age and how pregnancy-related BP is being managed among this population. METHODS: A survey of 2,187 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in selected Medical facilities in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Nigeria was carried out over a period of 2 years and 3 months using pre-tested close-ended questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: One thousand and eight (52.5%) of the 1919 respondents had back pain during their current pregnancy. The mean age of those with and without back pain was 26.8 ± 5.3 and 27.1 ± 5.4 years respectively. Mean number of pregnancy was higher among respondents with back pain 2.6 ±1.50 than those without back pain 2.4±1.40. Incidence of BP was highest during current pregnancy 52.5%, during menses 341(17.8%) and it was least post-delivery 69(3.6%). Analgesics (50 .4%) and physical approaches (49. 6%) were nearly equally utilized in managing BP among the studied population. Side lying (78.2%) was the most preferred therapeutic position for relieving BP and supine lying was the least favored (22.6 %,) among the respondents in relieving BP. Standing up and walking around was found useful to relieve BP induced or aggravated by prolonged sitting or maintenance of static posture. CONCLUSIONS: Back pain is most prevalent during pregnancy and also troublesome during menses among women of child bearing age. Analgesic and postural modifications were the two major interventions utilised in managing BP among the pregnant women in this study. More treatment options needs to be promoted for holistic management of pregnancy-related back pain. KEYWORDS: Incidence, back pain, pregnancy, management.