Objective: This study aimed to investigate prevalence, characteristics, perceived predisposing factors and mode of treatment sought for back pain among school-aged adolescents in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire employed in this cross-sectional study was distributed to 4,400 students [mean age 15.0 ± 1.7 years (range 10–19)] from 44 randomly selected schools. Results: Of the 4,400 questionnaires, 3,185 were completed (1,455 boys and 1,730 girls), thereby yielding a response rate of 72.4%. The lifetime and point prevalence of back pain were 59 and 17%, respectively. Low back pain was the most prevalent type, reported by 25%. The prevalence of back pain was 59.7% among boys and 57.5% among girls. Back pain was significantly associated with age, religion and involvement in commercial activity (p < 0.05). Among those with back pain, most cases were mild (56%), but chronic in 21%, and 27% used self-medication. Prolonged sitting posture (17%) was the most implicated predisposing factor to back pain. Conclusion: Back pain is common among Nigerian adolescent students, but it is mostly mild. The prevalence of back pain increased with advancing age in both genders. More research is needed to find necessary risk factors and interventions including appropriate back education to reduce back pain.

BackgroundLiterature abounds on the prevalent nature of Self Reported Musculoskeletal Symptoms (SRMS) among computer users, but studies that actually compared this with non computer users are meagre thereby reducing the strength of the evidence. This study compared the prevalence of SRMS between computer and non computer users and assessed the risk factors associated with SRMS.MethodsA total of 472 participants comprising equal numbers of age and sex matched computer and non computer users were assessed for the presence of SRMS. Information concerning musculoskeletal symptoms and discomforts from the neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, wrists/hands, low back, hips/thighs, knees and ankles/feet were obtained using the Standardized Nordic questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of SRMS was significantly higher in the computer users than the non computer users both over the past 7 days (χ2 = 39.11, p = 0.001) and during the past 12 month durations (χ2 = 53.56, p = 0.001). The odds of reporting musculoskeletal symptoms was least for participants above the age of 40 years (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.31-0.64 over the past 7 days and OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.47-0.77 during the past 12 months) and also reduced in female participants. Increasing daily hours and accumulated years of computer use and tasks of data processing and designs/graphics significantly (p < 0.05) increased the risk of reporting musculoskeletal symptoms. Over the past 7 day duration, the neck (33.9%) and low back (11.4%) had highest prevalence of SRMS for the computer and non computer users respectively.ConclusionThe prevalence of SRMS was significantly higher in the computer users than the non computer users and younger age, being male, working longer hours daily, increasing years of computer use, data entry tasks and computer designs/graphics were the significant risk factors for reporting musculoskeletal symptoms among the computer users. Computer use may explain the increase in prevalence of SRMS among the computer users.

Studies on validation of telerehabilitation as an effective platform to help manage as well as reduce burden of care for Low-Back Pain (LBP) are sparse. This study compared the effects of Telerehabilitation-Based McKenzie Therapy (TBMT) and Clinic-Based McKenzie Therapy (CBMT) among patients with LBP. Forty-seven consenting patients with chronic LBP who demonstrated ‘directional preference’ for McKenzie Extension Protocol (MEP) completed this quasi experimental study. The participants were assigned into either the CBMT or TBMT group using block permuted randomization. Participants in the CBMT and TBMT groups received MEP involving a specific sequence of lumbosacral repeated movements in extension aimed to centralize, decrease, or abolish symptoms, thrice weekly for eight weeks. TBMT is a comparable version of CBMT performed in the home with the assistance of a mobile phone app. Outcomes were assessed at the 4th and 8th weeks of the study in terms of Pain Intensity (PI), Back Extensors Muscles’ Endurance (BEME), Activity Limitation (AL), Participation Restriction (PR), and General Health Status (GHS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p< 0.05.Within-group comparison across baseline, 4th and 8th weeks indicate that both CBMT and TBMT had significant effects on PI (p=0.001), BEME (p=0.001), AL (p=0.001), PR (p=0.001) and GHS (p=0.001) respectively. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the treatment effects between TBMT and CBMT, except for ‘vitality’ (p=0.011) scale in the GHS where TBMT led to significantly higher mean score. Mobile-app platform of the McKenzie extension protocol has comparable clinical outcomes with the traditional clinic-based McKenzie Therapy, and thus is an effective supplementary platform for care of patients with low-back pain.

Back pain is (BP) is recognized as an important problem in pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to establish gender and age reference values of static back extensor muscle endurance in healthy Nigerian adults. Subjects and Methods: This study involved 373 consecutive participants aged between 21 and 60 years who were grouped into four age strata. A modification of the Sørensen test of Static Muscular Endurance (BSME) was used to quantify static endurance. The mean, standard deviation, range and 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile scores were determined for four gender/age categories. Results: Endurance time differed significantly across the age groups (F = 47.286; p = 0.000). Males exhibited higher mean endurance than females (t = 2.583; p = 0.010). Using percentiles, 25th (poor endurance), 25th–75th (medium endurance) and >75th (good endurance) percentile were 72, 72–161, and >161–240 s, respectively, for males; and 64, 64–142, and >142–236 s, respectively, for females. There was an age and gender variation in the median values. The results suggest that the significant age and anthropometric differences between the categories of participants could contribute to endurance differences. Conclusion: This study established a set of reference values for static back endurance in healthy Nigerians. These values can be used to compare a patient’s score at intake or as an outcome measure in clinical practice.

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Background: knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition. Little is known about whether treatments provided by physiotherapists to patients with knee OA in Nigeria follow recommended clinical practice guidelines. Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate Nigerian physiotherapists' treatment preferences for knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate if their preferences were in line with contemporary clinical practice guidelines and recommendations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 267 physiotherapists from various health institutions in Nigeria were surveyed, using a structured questionnaire incorporating a clinical vignette on knee OA. Results: Based on the clinical vignette, the majority of the respondents (68.2%) recommended review of x-rays as part of the diagnostic process for knee OA. Thermotherapy was the most utilized modality (86.1%), followed by therapeutic exercise (81.3%). Only 11.1% of the physiotherapists used therapeutic exercise alone. Manual therapy in conjunction with other modalities was the choice for 18% of the physiotherapists. Only 49.1% of the physiotherapists reported including advice on weight control and up to 39% reported bed rest as part of the treatment approach. Conclusion: There was a poor consensus among the physiotherapists in Nigeria on how knee OA is managed compared with contemporary clinical guidelines and recommendations which emphasized application of core modalities, such as therapeutic exercises, patients' education, and weight control over passive modalities. Some areas of practice are in line with contemporary guidelines, while some were in conflict with evidence-based practice.

Back Pain is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a general practitioner or physical therapist. The objectives of this study were to investigate the attitudes and treatment preferences of Physiotherapists in Nigeria about the management of Low back Pain. A survey of 101 practicing physiotherapists from selected health institutions was carried out using a structured questionnaire. The results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics of Chi -square at 0. 0 5. More than 90% of the physiotherapists surveyed recommended review of x-rays, and palpation methods, in the evaluation of patients, About 70% employed assessment of posture, McKenzie evaluation, Sacroiliac joint and neurological screening. The common treatment preferences by 83% of the physiotherapists surveyed was education regarding proper body mechanics in daily activities. More than 82.5% of the physiotherapists perceived McKenzie approach as very effective, while 60% rated it as most useful method in managing LBP. About 23% of the subjects believed muscle strain and disc problem as the principal underlying causes of LBP among their patients. It was concluded that McKenzie approach was the most effective and useful method for managing LBP and education in proper body mechanics in daily activities was preferred in the management of LBP. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 10: