Prevalence of Plantar Fasciitis and Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain and Its Association with Body Mass Index among Teachers of Private Schools in Peshawar

Background: Plantar fasciitis and non-specific chronic low back pain are common musculoskeletal disorders in professions involving prolonged standing, such as teaching. Teachers often experience prolonged standing. Poor ergonomics and elevated stress levels may contribute to the development of these conditions. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of plantar fasciitis and non-specific chronic low back pain in private school teachers and assess the association of body mass index with these conditions. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 private school teachers in Peshawar using a cluster sampling technique. Ethical approval was obtained from the departmental research committee of City University of Science and Information Technology, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Teachers aged 25 to 40 years with at least six months of teaching experience were included, while administrative staff, pregnant females, and foot deformities or traumatic low back pain were excluded. The Windlass test was used to diagnose plantar fasciitis, and the numerical pain rating scale was used to assess pain severity. Body mass index was calculated and categorised according to WHO criteria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27 with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to evaluate the association of BMI with plantar fasciitis and non-specific chronic low back pain. Results: Among 383 participants, 73.9% were female and 26.1% male. The prevalence of chronic low back pain was 60.1%, while plantar fasciitis was 65.5%. Mild pain was the most reported severity for both conditions. Body mass index showed no statistically significant association with NSCLBP or plantar fasciitis. However, a significant linear trend (p=0.034) was observed for body mass index and chronic low back pain. Conclusion: A High prevalence of plantar fasciitis and chronic low back pain was observed among teachers. Although body mass index was not significantly associated, the linear trend highlights the need for ergonomic and weight management interventions. These findings highlight the importance of ergonomic interventions, regular screening, and weight management programs to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in teachers and improve their occupational health.