Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Expectant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care at St. Francis Hospital in Katete District, Zambia

Background: Low back pain (LBP) in pregnancy is a serious health concern that can range from acute pain to chronic pain, and can significantly decrease one’s quality of life and physical function, and increase financial impoverishment. However, there is scanty information on the prevalence of LBP among expectant mothers at St. Francis Mission Hospital in Eastern Zambia. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LBP among expectant mothers attending Antenatal Care services at St. Francis Mission Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted using quantitative methods. The study was conducted among 150 random expectant mothers attending Antenatal Care services at St. Francis Mission Hospital. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire adapted from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Using SPSS v27.0, descriptive statistical analysis was done in terms of numerical measures of central tendency and variability. Results: One-hundred and fifty expectant mothers were successfully recruited. One-third of the participants were aged 18-25years; 65% were married; and 50% were self-employed. Seventy-three percent were 27-42 weeks pregnant; 86.7% were multiparous while 13.3% were primiparous. Forty percent had gained 5-10kg during pregnancy. Prevalence of LBP was found to be 86.7%. While 50% of the LBP cases started in the second trimester, 53.3% of the participants experienced more severe LBP in the third trimester. Based on the visual analogue scale, 46% of the participants had moderate pain which was intermittent. Functional limitations attributed to LBP were noted in lying, sitting, standing, walking and travelling. Conclusion: Pregnancy-related LBP remains a serious public health problem. Therefore, there is need for healthcare providers to strengthen education programs, routine assessment and timely provision of targeted interventions in managing LBP among expectant mothers for improved quality of life.