Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported low back pain (LBP) and its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Bisha, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Bisha, a city in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, in 2021. Data were collected using a validated Arabic-language self-administrated questionnaire that provided insights into sociodemographic characteristics, LBP prevalence, LBP risk factors, and HRQoL via the tool EuroQoL-5D. Data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.
Results: A total of 184 participants were enrolled in the study. Ninety participants (48.9%) reported LBP during the week before the study and 68 (36.9%) reported LBP during the year before the study. The relation between the prevalence of LBP and sociodemographic characteristics was statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0.05). Higher prevalence of LBP was observed among participants younger than 30, male participants, university- educated participants, and employed participants. Regarding the HRQoL domain, there were associations between LBP prevalence and problems with mobility (27.2%), self-care (9.8%), usual activity (26.2%), pain/discomfort (57.6%), and anxiety/depression (30.4%). Measurement of the health status of participants resulted in an average score of 81.7 ± 15.7. This was significantly associated with LBP prevalence (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: LBP is prevalent in Bisha. This might be attributed to various environmental and social factors. LBP is a burden to our society that demands interventions to improve HRQoL.

Key words: Prevalence, low back pain, Bisha, Saudi Arabia.