Beliefs and behavior of undergraduate students about low back pain

  • Mehvish Zaib
  • Maryam Shabbir
  • Aqsa Majeed
  • Sana Akram
  • Aisha Ansari
  • Sajid Mahmood
  • Usman S. Cheema
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35975/apic.v30i1.3106
Keywords: Attitude, Behavior, Low Back Pain, Pain Management, Students

Abstract

Background & Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is common among undergraduate students due to sedentary lifestyles and poor posture. Misbeliefs about LBP may lead to poor preventive and management behavior. This study aimed to assess undergraduate students’ beliefs and behavior regarding LBP and their influence on self-management practices.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 244 undergraduate students at the University of Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected using a validated belief and behavior questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square and t-tests, were applied.

Results: The mean age of participants was 21.06 ± 2.07 years. Overall, 52.0% perceived LBP as a normal part of student life, while 51.6% believed it cannot be prevented. Commonly cited prevention strategies included stress reduction (28.3%), good posture (25.4%), regular exercise (23.8%), and ergonomic furniture use (22.5%). Inferential analysis revealed a significant association between gender and LBP prevalence (p = 0.011), with females reporting higher rates. Academic discipline influenced preventive behavior (P < 0.05), and regular exercisers showed lower pain intensity (P = 0.028). Ergonomic support use was linked to reduced chronic pain (P = 0.036). Awareness of prevention programs positively correlated with preventive cf (r = 0.41, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Majority of undergraduate university students show poor understanding about the causative factors of low back pain  and show inconsistent preventive behavior. Institutional education, ergonomic awareness, and physical activity promotion can play a key role in reducing the risk of developing low back pain and improving self-management practices.

Keywords: Attitude; Behavior; Low Back Pain; Pain Management; Students

Citation: Zaib M, Shabbir M, Majeed A, Akram S, Ansari A, Mahmood S, Cheema US. Beliefs and behavior of undergraduate students about low back pain. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;30(1):81-87. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v30i1.3106

Received: May 09, 2025; Revised: October 26, 2024; Accepted: January 01, 2025

Published
01-26-2026
Issue
Vol 30 No 1 (2026): January 2026
Section
ORIGINAL RESEARCH

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