Low Back Pain Effects, Management and Coping Strategies among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Eastern Uganda:
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Date
2021-11-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Square
Abstract
Background
Despite Low back pain (LBP) being one of the most common complaints among pregnant women,
healthcare workers write it off as a normal experience of the pregnancy, thus remaining untreated. It is
known to affect the daily functionality of many pregnant women in activities including those that involve
sitting, walking, standing and lifting. The inadequacy of information on LBP among pregnant women in
Uganda may have led to the unavailability of obstetric guidelines for its diagnosis and management. This
study established the effects of LBP effects on daily performance, management and coping strategies
among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Eastern Uganda.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 341 pregnant women attending antenatal care. The
primary outcome measure was LBP. The study enrolled pregnant women who reported having LBP and
correctly located the site of the pain using the pain and body chart as having LBP. Data on
sociodemographic characteristics, pain intensity, functional disability, effects of LBP on daily
performance, management and coping strategies were collected.
Results
Of the 341 respondents, (105, 30.8%) reported LBP. Majority of the women with LBP (71, 67.6%) had
minimal disability with an Owestry Disability Index (ODI) score of 0-20%. The activities that were most
affected with mild interference on daily routine activities were lifting 81%, standing 74%, personal care
74% and traveling 74%. Majority of the respondents (80, 76.19%) reported their LBP during the Antenatal
care (ANC) visits at the hospital and of these 62 (79.49%) were given painkillers, 13 (16.67%) received
counselling and patient education, 3 (3.85%). For the respondents who did not receive any treatment from
the ANC visits, the majority (23, 60.53%) used herbs and others used self-medication (5, 13.16%)
Conclusion
LBP affects most of the daily functional activities of pregnant women with minimal and moderate
disability. Although the disability is not severe, it affects their quality of life and productivity. The pregnant
women managed their LBP mainly by conservative means of treatment, especially by the use of
pharmacological management and rest from activities.
Description
Keywords
Low Back Pain Effects, Management and Coping Strategies, Pregnant Women, Antenatal Clinic, Eastern Uganda