FREQUENCY AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the frequency of pain and discomfort, identifying possible perceived risk factors by college students. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. College students from the health sciences majors were included. Students who had reported trauma suffered in the vertebral column before entering college were excluded. For data collection we used the questionnaire OSWESTRY (OSW), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: Among the 200 students participating in this study the average age was 27.4 ± 6.4 years, and 81% of these were female. About 98% reported pain in some part of the body, with 66% of prevalence of pain in the low back region, which was also found to present the highest average 3.34 ± 3.08 for pain intensity, with dysfunction in over 80% of the students. The main back pain triggering factors were physical inactivity (55.5%) and uncomfortable furniture (50.5%). Conclusion: It was found that the frequency of musculoskeletal pain in college was high, due to factors related to both occupational and academic environment for the initiation and potentiation of this disease. Thus, preventive actions should be implemented before the onset of back pain along with treatment to those who already suffer from it.