Is undergraduate physiotherapy study a risk factor for low back pain? A prevalence study of LBP in physiotherapy students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Following reports of high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in young physiotherapists, we investigated whether LBP was a problem for undergraduate physiotherapy students.

Method

Physiotherapy students enrolled in one Australian tertiary institution completed a validated self-administered questionnaire in April 2001, seeking information on LBP prevalence (lifetime, 12 month, one-month, one-week), and its risk factors. The survey incorporated the Nordic back questionnaire, questions on common risks for LBP, and purpose-built questions regarding educational exposures. Univariate logistic regression models were applied to test associations.

Results and discussion

72% students responded. LBP prevalence was 69% (lifetime), 63% (12-month), 44% (one-month), 28% (on

SUBMITTER: Nyland LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC270026 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature