Year: 2023 | Month: November | Volume: 13 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 351-358
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20231143
Relationship Between Obesity and Low Back Pain Among Adult Patients Attending the General Out-patient Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Izeji Rufus Ifechukwu1, Omokhua Osarieme2, Ervihi-Uva Luper3, Akwaras Nndunno4, Rimamnunra Grace5 , Daniel Aondona David6, Atokolo Grace7, Iyaji Andrew8, Ogwuche Austin Opiih9
1Consultant Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
2Consultant Family Physician and HOD, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
3Consultant Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
4Consultant Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
5Consultant Public Health Physician, Department of Epidemiology and Community Health,
College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
6Consultant Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
7Consultant Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
8Post graduate fellow, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
9Post graduate fellow, Department of Family Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author:Dr. Izeji Rufus Ifechukwu
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Low back pain and obesity are growing public health concerns that are attracting global attention with affectation of quality of life of many patients. Obesity has been considered to be associated with increased risk of many non-communicable medical conditions including low back pain. There is need therefore to assess the relationship between obesity and low back pain among adult patients at the general out-patient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Makurdi.
Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among 392 patients aged 18 years and above at the General Outpatient Clinic of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. The participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Their socio-demographics, relevant low back pain history, Body Mass Index and Waist-Hip-Ratio were collected via a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
Results: The proportion of those with obesity was 25.3% and low back pain was 62%. Obesity had statistically significant association with low back pain; and together with age, marital status, level of education and occupation, were the independent predictors of low back pain.
Conclusion: More than 60% of the participants had low back pain and about a quarter were obese. Obesity was an independent predictor of low back pain. Primary care physicians should increase efforts at counselling patients on obesity and other predictors of low back pain.
Key words: Association, Benue State, Low back pain, Makurdi, Obesity..