Background/Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) has become a major health problem in modern society. Studies have shown that 80% of the United States (U.S.) population will suffer from LBP at some point in their lifetime. Evidence suggests that LBP commencing in youth has a high predictive value for LBP in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and consequences of LBP in a large sample of 4th and 5th grade children.
Method: Participants included 571 children enrolled in the 4th and 5th grades in an Urban, Southeastern U.S. school district. Participants completed an 8-item yes/no questionnaire (Sjolie, 2004) designed to assess prevalence and consequences of LBP. The eighth item included 8-subquestions. The questionnaire included a visual diagram to show what area of the body represents the low back. Each question was read aloud by a researcher to the participants, they completed the question, asked clarifying questions if needed, and then the next question was read. This process was continued until the all questions were completed.
Analysis/Results: Chi-square analysis revealed no statistical differences by question between 4th and 5th graders. Responses revealed that 31.9% of children indicated having had a low back injury caused by an accident, another 56.4% indicated having pain, aching or discomfort in the low back at some point in their lifetime. In addition, 43.3% indicated suffering from LBP in the past year with 76.7% stating the pain lasted between 1-7 days. Daily activity patterns were changed in 14.4% because of LBP. Only 12.4% have been treated by a doctor for LBP and 12.8% indicated having an X-ray taken of their lower back. Specific activities causing or worsening LBP included: Sitting at school (18.9%), Sitting at home doing school work (14.5%), Watching TV/Playing video games (18.4%), Sitting at the computer (16.5%), Sitting in a car/bus (15.9%), Other sitting positions (34.3%), PE classes (27.7%), and Physical activities at home (28%).
Conclusions: Data is consistent with other studies which have reported lifetime LBP prevalence ranging between 10-70% in children and adolescents. Jones et al. (2004) reported that LBP prevalence and its associated consequences increase with age. Results of this study suggest that researchers should evaluate LBP preventive strategies for children as young as those enrolled in the 4th and 5th grades.