The knowledge level of people living in the central Malatya on the risky posture that lead to neck, upper back and low back pain

 Objective

            Musculo-skeletal disorders are considerable public health matters causing disability and loss of strength, and affecting all age groups and both sexes. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge level of the people living in the centre of Malatya concerning posture that lead to neck, upper back and low back pain.

Materials and Methods

            The study design is cross-sectional. Using proportional to population sampling methodology thirty clusters in the city centre were chosen and 600 people were interwieved by taking 20 people from each cluster. The data were collected between June –September 2008. Eleven diagram questions were asked to measure the knowledge level. Each correct answer were given one point. Evaluation was done out of eleven points. The participants getting six points  and over were regarded as good in terms of knowledge level. Chi-square test was used in comparison.

Results

            Of the participants, 43.8 % (n=263) were male and 56.2 %  (n=337) were female. 55.7 % of the participants had a  “good”  knowledge level. Knowledge level was significantly associated with education level (p<0.05). Knowledge  level was increased as the education level increased.  Knowledge level was not associated with any other socio-demographic characteristics (p>0.05). The most frequently known diagrams were diagram 9 (93 %) and diagram 4 (81.7 %) (Both were about bending position). The least frequently known diagrams were diagram 3 (93.3 %) and diagram 7 (34.8 %) (Diagrams which were about lifting a heavy subject and the pressure of body on something, respectively).

Conclusion

            According to the results, about half of the people living in the central Malatya had not enough knowledge concerning activities lead to neck, upper back and low back pain. Public education on causes and prevention of the postural problems should be conducted.

 Key Words: Neck, upper back, low back, pain, posture diagram, knowledge