RISK FACTORS OF BACK PAIN IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine the impact of back pain in primary school children and identify any predisposing risk factors. We aimed to address two fundamental questions: 1) What percentage of primary school students suffer for back pain? 2) What are the main risk factors of back pain in this population? METHODS A group of 804 children aged from 5 to 11 years was tested. The sampling involved both sexes and was based on random sampling. Data were collected through a survey sent to the pupil’s parents and involved a questionnaire, SDQ-Ita (R. Goodman, 1997) concerning anthropometric data, ability/ difficulties (psychological /psychosocial) and lifestyle. Specific questions on pain and back diseases were asked only to those parents whose children had already encountered this problem. Data are expressed as Average and Standard Deviation, where appropriate. Graph data are expressed as a percentage. Descriptive Statistics was performed with the Microsoft Office Excel 2003 (Professional Edition). Inferential Statistics was performed with the statistical program Statview 5.0. implementing the Binary Logistic Multiple Regression, also calculating the Odds Ratio and Confidence Interval. RESULTS Risk factors considered were: female sex, the index of weekly lack of movement and family history of back pain. The incidence of back pain in the sample analyzed was 18%. The incidence of back problems steadily increased from the Year 1 (7.4%) to Year 5 (27.5%) of primary school. The difference between the sexes was 5.3%, (20.2% in girls versus 14.9% in males). Pathological familiarity with at least one family member presenting back pain, was found in 48% of sample examined. The data show for Years 1, 2 and 3 that, as the average time spent in sedentary activities increases from 24% in Year 1 to 40% in Year 3, reaching up to 50 hours per week in Years 4 and 5, the probability of back pain/disorders increases to 57% and 58%. DISCUSSION In correspondence with the literature, we found that there was no correlation between back pain and sleeping position during the night and between back diseases and psychological/ psychosocial factors identified by the questionnaire SDQ-Ita. Too much activity or the practice of a sport on a regular basis for more than twice a week does not seem to increase risk of back pain. The present findings warrant the implementation of programmes aimed at reducing physical inactivity among school children. The effectiveness of such programmes requires not only the involvement of coaches and educators but also family support. The best prevention of back pain and spine disorders should in fact start at an early age.