Low Back Pain Among Student Motorcyclists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To find out the frequency of Low Back Pain (LBP) among motorcyclist students of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan. All male medical students who ride motorcycle were included.  A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data. Information regarding low back pain, most common posture adopts while riding, change position frequently, ever visited consultant for LBP, ever change normal routine due to LBP, reduced physical activity due to LBP in past 1-year, reduced leisure activity due to LBP, and LBP in past week were collected.

Results

Of 180 participants, mean age was 21.89±3.01 years. Ninety-five (53%) of students had experienced LBP. Majority of the riders reported upright posture during riding (n=117, 65%) while bending forward posture was reported by 63 (35%) students. The changed position frequently was also found predominantly higher, i.e. (n=131, 72.8%). A significant association of LBP was observed with age (p-value 0.003), time spent on motorcycle per day (p-value 0.005) and changing position frequently (p-value 0.003).

Conclusion: Low back pain is common in motorcyclists. Age, time spent riding per day and position change were the factors found considerably higher among motorcyclist students suffering from low back pain.