Prevalence of low back pain and associated factors among medical students in Wachemo University Southern Ethiopia

Low back pain(LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder in adults. According to previous studies medical students were found vulnerable for the development of LBP. We assessed the prevalence of LBP and associated factors among Medical students in Wachemo University, Southern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study design and simple random sampling technique was employed to select 370 medical students. A structured pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered into Epi-info version 3.1 and analysed by SPSS version 25. Analytical and descriptive statistics were conducted. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to assess factors associated with LBP. Variables at p-value ≤ 0.25 in simple logistic regression analysis were entered into multiple logistic regression. Statistical significance was declared at P-value, < 0.05 in multiple logistic analysis. The prevalence of low back pain among medical students was found to be 40.1%with 95% CI (38.5-41.8). Being male students [AOR (95% CI): 1.83 (1.09-3.08)], design of study sitting chairs without back support [adjusted odds ratio(AOR) (95% C.I): 2.81 (1.74-4.55)], stress during class [AOR (95% C.I): 2.60 (1.56-4.35)], and daily study hours greater than 6 h and above [AOR: 4.33, 95% CI (2.30-8.12)] had a significant association with LBP. The prevalence of LBP in this study is high. Better ergonomic facilities and psychosocial supports to medical students are recommended to reduce the effects of predisposing factors on LBP.