THE PROFILE OF DAILY LIFE ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN: CASE STUDY IN ONE PUBLIC HOSPITAL AND ONE PRIVATE POLYCLINIC IN KIGALI CITY, RWANDA

Background: Lower back pain is a common health issue affecting a large number of people globally. It can have a profound effect on a person's overall well-being, particularly their capacity to carry out daily tasks and engage in sexual activities. The objective of this study is to explore the extent of limitations in daily activities and sexual dysfunction in individuals suffering from lower back pain. The study involves a comprehensive assessment of the association between lower back pain and daily life activity limitations, and sexual dysfunction to shed light on potential interventions and improve patient care. Aim: This study aimed at identifying the profile of Daily life activity limitations and sexual dysfunction in patients with LBP. Methods: This research utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative methodology. The sample consisted of 98 persons suffering from chronic lower back pain (CLBP) recruited from a public hospital and a private clinic, selected through purposive random sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square tests (p<0.05), was performed to assess the prevalence and relationship between back pain and the independent variables of daily living activities and sexual functioning. Results: The daily life activity limitations and sexual dysfunctions among patients with CLBP was found to be very high where (65.3%) of respondents reported severe disability meaning that pain interfered with most daily life activities while 34.7% of respondents reported mild to moderate disability. As for sexual dysfunction was (58.2%) of the respondents. Pain intensity was significantly associated with daily life activity limitations and highly associated with sexual dysfunction with p-value below 0.001. Five sexual function aspects meaning frequency of sexual activity, sexual activity desire or interest, enjoyment or pleasure, arousal or excitement, and sexual completion or satisfaction were affected in this study. Reducing sexual desire, increasing fear of sexual activity attempt, provoking pain or discomfort during or after sexual intercourse and reduction of satisfaction and enjoyment of sexual intercourse among participants. Conclusion: This study concluded that daily life activity limitations and sexual dysfunction is quite high in CLBP patients with level of pain intensity influencing the degree of limitations in performing different daily life activities.