Prevalence of low back pain in non working rural housewives of Kanpur, India.

OBJECTIVES Housewives are nucleus of families but as the working, living, and social architecture in the rural areas significantly differ from developed or urban area, the results of urban population cannot be generalized. Hence the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain in non working rural housewives. Also an attempt has been made to determine the impact of social burden on low back pain (LBP). MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of 301 non working rural housewives of Kanpur, aged between 30-70 years was selected. Hindi version of 3 appropriate scales Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, Oswestry disability index and Zarit burden interview measuring musculoskeletal discomfort, low back disability and social burden were given to all the housewives. RESULTS Analysis of data reveals that both recent and yearly prevalence of LBP in rural housewives is 83%. More than 50% housewives have severe disability due to their LBP. Correlational analysis has shown that there is a significant impact of social burden on their disability due to low back pain. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study suggest that 83% of the non working rural housewives have low back pain and activity restriction due to their pain. They have significant impact of social burden on their low back pain. High prevalence (83%) of low back pain among rural housewives is an alarming sign for our society. Better health-care measures to enhance rural housewives education about good posture, ergonomic measures, health schemes, health awareness, and activity pacing could help rural housewives.