Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 66 (1995)Low Back Pain Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among UAE Girls in AlAinStudent Authors: Buthaina Abdullah Ali BalielaFaculty Supervisors: Dr. A. Bener, Prof. O. Lloyd, Prof. M. KuttyAbstract:Objectives To determine the prevalence of low back pain in Al Ain community, toinvestigate risk factors associated with low back pain and to compare the results withthose obtained from similar studies in the Gulf and the developed countries.Methods A cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted in Al Ain in both TawamHospital GP clinics and Oud Al Tuba clinics among both sexes, with differentnationalities, occupations, age group, and housing conditions. Sample survey size wasn=250 patients and data was collected by a standard questionnaire assessing LBP, itspresence, duration, radiation, onset, associated risk factors and methods tried inrelieving it. Also number of patients who sought medical help for their back ache orwho has been admitted for it was estimated.Results It was found that LBP prevalence in Al Ain was 55.2% which is quite high andmainly among females (63%), housewives or not working males (48%), sedentaryworkers (30.5%), and obese people (54.3%). But according to socio–demographic andhousing conditions and risk factors in general it was insignificant. Habits: smoking9.2% drinking coffee (24.1%) were found to have a significant effect on low back pain.Conclusion This cross sectional descriptive study has shown high LBP prevalencecompared with other countries, which might be related to sampling errors, time andplace limitations. But it should be used to encourage further estimation of LBP in UAEand its associated risk factors and to prevent them.