Sains Malaysiana 43(3)(2014):
423–428
Low Back Pain and Associated Risk Factors among Health
Science Undergraduates
(Sakit Belakang dan Faktor Risikonya dalam Kalangan Prasiswazah
Sains Kesihatan)
NOR AZLIN MOHD NORDIN, DEVINDER KAUR AJIT SINGH* & LIM KANGLUN
Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan
Raja Muda Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Diserahkan: 9 Januari 2013/Diterima: 17 Julai 2013
ABSTRACT
Identification of associated risk factors is important to enable
successful implementation of low back pain prevention strategies. To date,
there is limited research data on back pain among young adults in Malaysia
despite an increasing incidence of this disabling condition worldwide. A
cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the incidence of low back
pain (LBP)
and associated factors among health science undergraduates. A self-administered
questionnaire was distributed to full time students of a main public university.
One hundred and forty undergraduates; mean age 21.4±1.3 years, 70% female, 60%
in year 3 of study, participated in the survey. The results showed that 31%
spent between 6 and 8 h and another 31% spent more than 9 h sitting in a day.
Twelve percent of the undergraduates rated their fitness level as ‘poor’. The
incidence of LBP was 40.3% among the undergraduates. LBP incidence was
associated with age (X2=12.1, p=0.007),
years of study (X2=8.7, p=0.03), self-rated
physical fitness (X2=7.0, p=0.02) and hours spent
sitting (X2 =8.7, p=0.03). Gender, body mass index and hours spent in sports and physical
activity were not associated with LBP. The findings from this study demonstrate
that physical fitness and sitting duration is associated with low back pain
among health science undergraduates. Health science undergraduates should
improve their physical fitness, practice frequent breaks and stretching during
sitting. This will help to minimize LBP related to decreased fitness levels and
prolonged sitting.
Keywords: Back pain; physical fitness; sitting; undergraduates
ABSTRAK
Mengenal pasti faktor risiko adalah penting dalam implementasi
strategi pencegahan sakit belakang. Data kajian mengenai sakit belakang dalam
kalangan generasi muda adalah terhad di Malaysia di sebalik peningkatan insiden
kondisi ini di seluruh dunia. Kajian keratan rentas ini bertujuan mengenal
pasti insiden sakit belakang dan faktor risikonya dalam kalangan prasiswazah
sains kesihatan. Soal-selidik kajian diedar kepada prasiswazah sepenuh masa
sebuah universiti tempatan. Sejumlah 140 prasiswazah; min umur 21.4±1.3 tahun,
70% perempuan, 60% dalam tahun 3 pengajian telah mengambil bahagian di dalam
kajian ini. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa 31% daripada prasiswazah
menghabiskan sejumlah 6 hingga 8 jam sehari dalam posisi duduk manakala dalam
kalangan 31% lagi prasiswazah, jumlah masa berada dalam posisi duduk dalam
sehari melebihi 9 jam. Dua belas peratus daripada prasiswazah menilai tahap
kecergasan mereka sebagai ‘rendah’. Insiden sakit belakang dalam kalangan
prasiswazah ini ialah 40.3%. Sakit belakang didapati berkait dengan faktor umur
(X2=12.1, p=0.007),
tempoh pengajian (X2=8.7, p=0.03), tahap
kecergasan fizikal (X2=7.0, p=0.02) dan tempoh
duduk (X2 =8.7, p=0.03). Jantina, indeks
jisim tubuh dan tempoh aktiviti fizikal dan sukan tidak berkait dengan sakit
belakang. Keputusan ini menunjukkan peranan kecergasan fizikal dan tempoh duduk
terhadap insiden sakit belakang dalam kalangan prasiswazah sains kesihatan.
Prasiswazah perlu meningkatkan kecergasan fizikal dan mengamalkan rehat dan
regangan yang kerap sewaktu duduk bagi meminimumkan risiko sakit belakang
akibat penurunan tahap kecergasan dan duduk yang terlalu lama.
Kata kunci: Duduk yang lama; kecergasan fizikal;
prasiswazah; sakit belakang
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*Pengarang
untuk surat-menyurat; email: devinderkas@gmail.com
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