Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among nursing students

Study design Retrospective case-control study Objective To investigate the incidence of low back pain among nursing students and to analyze the factors contributing to low back pain among nursing students. Method This retrospective study was conducted in 78 nursing students who entered our hospital for internship from July 2022 to March 2023. Demographic data, including age, gender, height, weight, exercise habits, staying-up-late habits, smoking history, education level, mental status, working posture, menstrual pain, and other basic information were collected, and the number of interns experiencing low back pain in the past 1 month and 3 months was recorded to investigate the incidence of low back pain among nursing students. Relevant risk factors were also analyzed. Results The incidence of low back pain among nursing students was 19.2% within 1 month and 25.6% within 3 months. Factors such as gender, age, height, weight, smoking history, exercise habits, staying-up-late habits, education level, mental status, working posture correctness, and menstrual pain showed no statistical significance between the pain and non-pain groups ( P > 0.05), while BMI and exercise habits showed statistical differences between the two groups ( P < 0.05). BMI ( OR = 1.530; 95% confidence interval = 1.16 - 2.02; P = 0.003) was identified as a risk factor for low back pain. Exercise habits ( OR = 0.232; 95% confidence interval = 0.07 - 0.81; P = 0.022) were identified as protective factors for low back pain. Conclusion The incidence of low back pain among nursing students remains relatively high, and low back pain is associated with high BMI and lack of exercise. These results can provide a reference for developing preventive measures for low back pain among nursing students.