Community prevalence and associated factors of chronic low back pain in the Dschang health district, Cameroon, 2024
1
1 Public Health Emergency Operation Coordination Center, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
2
2 Public health, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
3
3 Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
4
4 Youth For Health and Development of Africa, Yaounde, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2984
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly affecting aging populations and occupational groups with prolonged constrained postures. Despite its significant impact on productivity and healthcare systems, data on its community prevalence and associated factors in Cameroon remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors for CLBP in the Dschang Health District.
METHODS:
A community-based case-control study was conducted from January to June 2024 using two-stage stratified cluster sampling. We enrolled 859 participants aged ≥21 years, residing in the district for >6 months, and engaged in professional activities. Cases (CLBP patients) were matched with controls by sex and age (±5 years). Data on sociodemographics, occupational factors, pain characteristics, and back pain prevention attitude were collected using a semi-structured validated questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for p≤0.05 and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS:
The community prevalence of CLBP was 21.4% (1 in 5 adults). Significant risk factors included: age >60 years (aOR=2.57 [1.08-6.08]; p=0.032), professional tenure >10 years (aOR=2.41 [1.33-4.37]; p=0.004), habitual forward-bent posture (aOR=2.33 [1.04-5.21]; p=0.040), and absence of back relaxation exercises (aOR=2.23 [1.36-3.65]; p=0.002). Income satisfaction was protective (aOR=0.36 [0.19-0.71]; p=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS:
CLBP represents a significant public health burden in this Cameroonian community, affecting over one-fifth of adults. The identified modifiable risk factors, particularly occupational postures and exercise practices, highlight the need for targeted workplace interventions and community-based prevention programs to reduce the burden of chronic low back pain in similar low-resource settings.
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly affecting aging populations and occupational groups with prolonged constrained postures. Despite its significant impact on productivity and healthcare systems, data on its community prevalence and associated factors in Cameroon remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors for CLBP in the Dschang Health District.
METHODS:
A community-based case-control study was conducted from January to June 2024 using two-stage stratified cluster sampling. We enrolled 859 participants aged ≥21 years, residing in the district for >6 months, and engaged in professional activities. Cases (CLBP patients) were matched with controls by sex and age (±5 years). Data on sociodemographics, occupational factors, pain characteristics, and back pain prevention attitude were collected using a semi-structured validated questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for p≤0.05 and 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS:
The community prevalence of CLBP was 21.4% (1 in 5 adults). Significant risk factors included: age >60 years (aOR=2.57 [1.08-6.08]; p=0.032), professional tenure >10 years (aOR=2.41 [1.33-4.37]; p=0.004), habitual forward-bent posture (aOR=2.33 [1.04-5.21]; p=0.040), and absence of back relaxation exercises (aOR=2.23 [1.36-3.65]; p=0.002). Income satisfaction was protective (aOR=0.36 [0.19-0.71]; p=0.003).
CONCLUSIONS:
CLBP represents a significant public health burden in this Cameroonian community, affecting over one-fifth of adults. The identified modifiable risk factors, particularly occupational postures and exercise practices, highlight the need for targeted workplace interventions and community-based prevention programs to reduce the burden of chronic low back pain in similar low-resource settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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