Original scientific paper
Prevalence of Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Schoolchildren in North-Eastern Slovenia
Zmago Turk
Renata Vauhnik
Dušanka Mičetić-Turk
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the nonspecific low back pain (LBP) in a population of
schoolchildren in Maribor, north-eastern Slovenia.100 children from an elementary school (age 11–15 y) and 90 children
from a secondary school (age 17–18 y) were included in the study and investigated with a structured Watson questionnaire
to assess low back pain prevalence, symptom characteristics, psychosocial factors, demographic, and anthropometric
items. The data was statistically analysed using the SPSS software. 43% of children from elementary schools and
44% of children from secondary schools experienced back pain which lasted more than one day. No correlations between
LBP and anthropometric items were found. Schoolchildren spend approximately 2 hours for learning, 2–3 hours for
watching TV and approximately 2 hours for playing or working with the computer. Among important reasons for LBP,
44% of children mentioned carrying a school bag, 28% sitting on school chairs, and 18% intensive sport activity. Clinical
examination of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine has shown that 12% of primary children and 12% of secondary children
have increased cervical lordosis and 15% of primary schoolchildren have increased lumbar lordosis. In 5% of
schoolchildren we found mild spinal scoliotic changes. Among our schoolchildren sedentary behaviour and low physical
activity dominate. LBP may have an impact on their daily life, therefore it is important to recognise and treat it as soon
as possible.
Keywords
low back pain; schoolchildren; prevalence
Hrčak ID:
75603
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2011.
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