Anestesia e Pesquisa Clínica
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Low Back Pain Effects, Management and Coping Strategies among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Eastern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Susan Waako, Moses Twimukye, Richard K Mugambe, John Bosco Isunju, Haruna Muwonge, Ivan Masete, Stephen Kusasira, David Guwatudde, Robert Zavuga

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.

Materials and 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.