The Relationship Between Tobacco Consumption and Low-Back Pain in Adolescents in the 3rd Cycle of Basic Education and Secondary

Problem Statement: Low-back pain in adolescence have nowadays assumed a outstanding role, being considered a public health problem.

Purpose of Study: Quantify the prevalence of low-back pain in the adolescents of 3.º cycle of Basic and Secondary Education in the district of Viseu, Portugal; Determine the influence of tobacco consumption on the occurrence of low-back pain;

Research Methods: Quantitative, transversal , correlational and analytical study, with a sample of 2947 adolescents (1603 females and 1344 males) from 12 to 18 years (18.5% of individuals14 years old), of the 3rd cycle and secondary schools in ten districts. Evaluation protocol consisting of a questionnaire for socio-demographic, lifestyle and incidence of low-back pain, built for this purpose.

Findings: The prevalence of low-back pain, in our sample is 31.9%. We found a positive relationship between age, sex, smoking and the occurrence of low-back pain,. Low-back pain are more prevalent among girls (33.6%) in smokers (42.0%), adolescents aged 14 years. We have not found a positive relationship between the lifestyle, the educational level of parents and the occurrence of low-back pain.

Conclusions: It is important to increase the options available as well as providing information on risk factors extrinsic to the individual, so that people exercise greater control over their own health and the environment, so that everything is conducive to health.