Infant carrying-related low back pain: prevalence and correlates among nursing mothers in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Carrying an infant is a physically demanding task which usually involves trunk loading, resulting in biomechanical stress on the musculoskeletal tissues. Aim: This cross sectional study investigated the prevalence and correlates of infant carrying-related low back pain (ICRLBP) in nursing mothers. Methods: A convenience sample of 192 Igbo-speaking mothers (18-35 years) with infants ≤ 2 years old completed a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire that included questions related to maternal demographics, postpartum characteristics and history of ICRLBP was employed in the study. Results: Mean maternal age and infant weight were 25.02 ±0.78 and 6.75±1.62 respectively. The findings revealed a high prevalence (82.3%) of ICRLBP among the nursing mothers. Majority (87.3%) of the affected women reported of mild low back pain. Maternal and infant factors were not significantly associated with the prevalence of ICRLBP. However, maternal age of > 35 years (OR = 6.41; 95% CI = 0.70-58.50), nursing an infant weighing > 10 kg (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 0.50-15.82), previous caesarean birth (OR = 2.40; 95% CI = 0.94-6.12) and civil service (OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 0.81-5.02)were the highest risk factors of infant carrying-related low back pain. Conclusions: Infant carrying-related low back pain is prevalent among nursing mothers. Maternal and infant factors are not predictors of ICRLBP. Maternal education and ergonomic interventions relative to efficient infant carrying methods and suitable infant weights as tools for preventing musculoskeletal discomforts are recommended.

Infant Carrying in the United States: A Survey of Current Practices, Physical and Mental Health Benefits, and Challenges of Babywearing

“…In this study, almost all reported using soft structured carriers and wearing baby on the front of the body. This is consistent with our hypothesis and with the prevalence of this type of carrier on the market, exposure in media (eg, celebrity babywearing moms), and advertisements to pregnant mothers, but it contrasts with the Nigerian study 13. Interestingly, most caregivers reported using more than one type of carrier and carrying with multiple positions, including wearing the baby on the back and using a wrap or ring sling carrier.…”

“…About 80% of the respondents of our survey reported having experienced back pain. This is similar to the self-reported musculoskeletal complaints of mothers in the Nigerian study, with low back pain (83%) and upper back pain (75%) reported most commonly 13. Our population's ODI scores suggested that the impact of this pain on disability was minimal.…”

“…While we did not specifically ask the amount of time each day, another study reported an average of 2.6 hours/day in mothers with young children 8. This is significantly less than those surveyed recently in Africa, where a majority (>42%) reported carrying the baby for more than 12 hours per day 13. Other studies have also demonstrated greater infant contact and carrying in nonindustrialized societies 14,26,27.…”

“…Only one known study has surveyed mothers. Ojukwu et al13 investigated the infant carrying practices of breastfeeding mothers in Nigeria and identified back carrying as the most common method used, which requires a piece of cloth to hold the baby. This study corroborates with other reports that back carrying is common in Africa 14.…”

Investigation of wearing methods of a baby carrier on muscle activation during trunk flexion-extension in healthy women

“…The incidence of back injuries during child care is 34.1%, and the incidence of back pain among mothers raising infants under 4 years of age is reported to be 48% [8,9]. A total of 87.3% of baby carrier wearers complain of low back pain, regardless of the age and weight of infants using the baby carrier [10]. For example, in the case of a Korean female, the average weight of a woman in her 20s and 30s is 57.3 kg.…”