Physical activity level and back pain among workers of a higher education institution in Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between level of physical activity and prevalence of low back pain among employees of a higher education institution in Jequié-BA, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional census study, which included 83 of the 102 employees of the State University of Southwest Bahia, Jequié-Campus, obtaining a response rate of 81.37%. We used a data collection instrument containing eight blocks of information, in which were included social-demographic variables, habitual physical activity and musculoskeletal symptoms (back pain). Data collection was conducted through individual interviews at the working sector of the participant. Data were tabulated with EpiData, version 3.5 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences - SPSS, version 9.0. Results: Among employees, 50.6% were physically active (practicing at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity). The prevalence of low back pain in the last twelve months was 48.1%. We observed that 22 (59.5%) employees considered physically active presented more complaints of back pain compared with 15 (40.5%) who were inactive. Despite the presence of low back pain among active individuals has shown to be higher, we understand that the percentage of back pain among physically inactive was also significant. Conclusion: There was no statistical significant association between the level of physical activity and the presence of back pain