The frequency and associated factors of low back pain among a younger population in Turkey

Study Design. Open design cross-sectional questionnaire. Objectives. The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of low back pains in the younger population and the factors that have an influence on this frequency. Summary of Background Data. Low back pain is one of the most important social problems that causes injuries in the younger population. Low back pain frequency is around 30% among adolescents, and 88% of those with low back pain experiences in adolescence have low back pain in later years. Therefore, identifying and, if possible, preventing the associated factors in adolescence and young adulthood is essential for the solution of this social problem. Methods. A total of 1,552 students from a total of 8,000 who had come from all parts of Turkey for university registration accepted to participate in the study and were given a questionnaire about low back pain experiences, disability, and possible associated factors. Results. Low back pain frequency was found to be 40.9%. This rate increases with age. Abandonment of moderate level physical activity and traumas such as slipping on ice and falling down the stairs were identified as associated factors. Conclusions. Regular physical activity and the prevention of falls might be ways for decreasing the frequency of low back pain experiences among the youth and significantly influencing the frequency of low back pain in adult population.