AB1422-HPR Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in the indigenous population of galibi in suriname: a cross-sectional community-based study
Authors: N.B Ho-A-Tham, B. Ting-A-Kee, N. Struyf, R. Wittoek, Y. Vanlandewijck, W. Dankaerts
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Musculoskeletal disorders are regarded as the fourth greatest burden on world health. Among these disorders, low back pain (LBP) ranks first for disability and sixth for overall burden1. However, there is a large range in prevalence in the general population (1.0% to 58.1%) due to environmental and individual factors2. There is limited data on prevalence and risk factors for LBP in developing countries, especially for vulnerable groups. This includes indigenous populations. Therefore a study was done regarding LBP in an indigenous population in Suriname, a South-American middle-income country. <h3>Objectives</h3> The objective of the study was to determine prevalence of self-reported LBP and possible relationships with several risk factors (gender, age, education level, body mass index (BMI), and smoking) in an indigenous community. <h3>Methods</h3> Data on LBP in Galibi was acquired through the COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases) stage 1 method. Galibi is located in the rural eastern coastal area of Suriname and consists of two indigenous villages: Langamankondre and Christiaankondre. The Ministry of Health provided ethical approval. Indigenous persons above 15 years, who were present in the village at the time of the study, were eligible for participation. After informed consent all participants were interviewed, and their anthropometric measurements were taken (height, weight, waist circumference). Association between LBP and risk factors were analysed with the chi square test. Significance level was set at p≤0.05. <h3>Results</h3> From 4–11 December 2016, a total of 153 persons participated in the study. There were 79 (52%) male and 74 (48%) female respondents. Mean age was 50.9 years (standard deviation 18.1 years; age range 16–92 years). A total of 80 respondents (52.2%) indicated that they had experienced at least one episode of LBP during their life time. Prevalence for males was 53.2% and 51.4% for females. The highest prevalence was among persons in the age group 55–74 years (60.3%). The lowest prevalence was found among persons who at least finished secondary school (41.2%). Smokers had a higher prevalence for LBP (60.7%) compared to non-smokers (50.4%), and LBP prevalence increased as BMI increased. None of the variables were significantly associated with LBP. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The life time prevalence of LBP among the study population was 52%. No significant difference in prevalence between genders was found. There was a higher prevalence for smokers, persons with a lower education level and those with an increased BMI. However, significant associations between LBP and risk factors were not found in this study. Further research in a larger population is recommended. <h3>References</h3> [1] A.D. Woolf (2015) Global burden of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 16(Suppl 1): S3.1. DOI: 10.1186/1471–2474–16-S1-S3 [2] D. Hoy, P. Brooks, F. Blyth, R. Buchbinder (2010) The Epidemiology of low back pain. Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 769–781. DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2010.10.002 <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared