Rabab Kompal, Muhammad Kashif, Usman Riaz, Atif Dastgir, Humaira Irum, Nousheen Manzoor.
Prevalence of Low Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain and Associated Risk Factors among Senior Semester Female Students of the University of Faisalabad.
Int J Rehab Sci Jan ;05(01):21-7.

Objective: the primary purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of low back, shoulder and neck pain also to check associated risk factors such as age, increasing year of study, average working hours, weight, height and body mass index among students studying in senior semesters of medical departments of private university the University of Faisalabad. Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted and stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data. Out of 177 students of target population data of 123 students was taken according to sample size. Validated and Reliable Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to collect data from students. Questionnaire riveted on shoulder, neck and low back pain in past year and past week. Results: Mean age of respondents was (22.4 ± 1.3) years.69 (n=123) students reported low back pain, 64(n=123) students reported neck pain and 34(n=123) students reported shoulder pain during last 12 months. Students reported low back pain 49(n=123), 35(n=123) students reported neck pain and 24(n=123) students reported pain in both shoulders during last 7 days. Low back pain reduced more level of work activity and leisure activity (36.6% and 35%) respectively as compare to neck pain (31.7% and 30.3%) and shoulder pain(13% and 10.6%). Results of independent sample t-test showed that Prevalence of neck and low back pain increases as their year of study increases or as they progress to higher grades (p=0.014, p=0.000) respectively. Prevalence of neck pain increases with the increasing age of students (p=0.025). However, there was no statistical significance (p>0.05) for average working hours, weight, height, body mass index and shoulder, neck and low back pain. Conclusion: Low back and neck pain were relatively common among students from medical departments. Neck, low back pain reduced student’s work and leisure activity markedly. Further assessment is needed to find out contributing factors and steps must be taken to prevent prevalence rate.

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