Low back pain during pregnancy: Prevalence, pain characteristics, risk factors among pregnant women seen at Primary Health Care Centre in Damascus: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Abstract Background low back pain is one of the most common problems during pregency that can affect the quality of life of the mother. The recognition of LBP pain characteristics during pregnancy is important to establish effective management. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among Syrian pregnant women in the outpatient clinic of El-Zahrawi Hospital in Damascus City using convince sampling approach with face-to-face interviews. Pain severity was assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS), using a 0–10 scale, with zero meaning “no pain” and 10 meaning “the worst pain imaginable. Results 330 pregnant women were recruited for this study. The end-up prevalence rate of LBP in the sample is 209 (63.3%). Multiple logistic regression revealed factors correlated to low back pain as follows: Obesity [AOR = 2.11, CI 95% (1.128–3.976)], overweight [AOR = 1.82, CI 95% (1.052–3.167)], history of LBP in previous pregnancy [AOR = 2.01, CI 95% (1.221–3.311)], history of LBP during menstrual cycle [AOR = 1.83, CI 95% (1.020–3.301)], and postgraduate on educational level [AOR = 2.2, CI 95% (1.148–4.216)]. The majority of women 144 (68.9%) have moderate pain, 73 (34.9%) have onset pain in the first semester, 126 (60.3%) have their daily activity affected, and 163 (78%) have sleep disturbance due to the pain. Long-standing was the most reported pain exacerbating factor (78%), followed by carrying weight (48.3%). Nearly 60% of women with LBP did not consult a doctor for their pain management. Muscle stretching was the most reported pain-relieving factor (71.8%), followed by resting from the movement that triggers the pain (35.9%) and back massage (33%). Conclusion Low back pain is prevalent among Syrian pregnant women, mostly with moderate severity with significant risk factors. Awareness should be raised about this common problem during pregnancy and seek a doctor's help to apply effective strategies and reduce the impacts of the pain on daily activity and quality of life.