Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in Malaysia: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Data on the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in Malaysia remain unclear as they are currently limited to specific settings and occupational groups. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in Malaysia. In this scoping review, we had systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar from January 2016 to April 2020. In addition, we had included cross-sectional studies on LBP in Malaysia. Studies without data on the prevalence and risk factors were excluded. The settings, population, design, sample size, evaluation methods, prevalence and risk factors of the studies were summarised. The literature search identified 435 potentially eligible studies; of these, 21 had met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of LBP in Malaysia among various types of the population had ranged from 12.4% to 84.6%. Among the various types of occupation, the prevalence of LBP was the highest among nurses (67.9%), followed by drivers (65.7%). In addition, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), lifting heavy objects, working posture, lifestyle, working hours and mental health were identified as the risk factors of LBP in Malaysia. The current evidence suggests that LBP is a serious health problem among several occupational groups in Malaysia. Therefore, it is crucial to implement the correct interventions for the prevention of LBP among these groups.