Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare men and women with low back pain and identify the prevalence and some of its associated factors in a population-based sample of adults aged 20 and over a seven day period. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on a population survey. 600 individuals were interviewed on the following: (1) characteristics of the participants (i.e. demographic, socioeconomic, and labor aspects); (2) physical activity level (IPAQ); (3) musculoskeletal symptoms (Nordic Questionnaire). Descriptive, bivariate, and Poisson regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of LBP was 28.8%, being 39.0% in men and 60.9% in women. The measured associated factors in men were age between 36 and 59 years (PR=3.00 [1.31-6.88]) and over 60 (PR=4.52 [2.02-10.12]), smoking (PR=2.47 [1.20-5.11]), fewer years of formal education (0-4 years) (PR=6.37 [2.15-18.62]), and hypertension (PR=2.27 [1.15-4.50]). For women, the associated factors were occupational activities that involved heavy lifting (PR=1.80 [1.03-3.16]), standing posture leaning forward (PR=2.04 [1.20-3.44]), sitting posture leaning forward (PR=2.17 [1.24-3.82]), and sitting at the computer three or more days per week (PR=4.00 [1.44-11.11]). Widowed or divorced participants were more likely to report LBP, in both men (PR=3.06 [1.40-6.66]) and women (PR=2.11 [1.15-3.88]). CONCLUSION: This study reveals high prevalence of low back pain in a seven day period. Older age, low education, hypertension, and smoking were associated with LBP in men. Occupational and ergonomic factors were associated with LBP in women. Marital status was associated with LBP in both genders.