Original Research Paper

Low Back Pain and Associated Risk Factors

Among Undergraduate Students of A Medical
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College in Delhi
Nupur Aggarwal, Tanu Anand, Jugal Kishore, Gopal Krishna Ingle
nYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC1y0abggQZXdgGj2MwlZLeI= on 01/02/2024

Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated L.N, G.N.E.C and G.B. Pant Hospitals, New Delhi, India

ABSTRACT
Context: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common orthopedic problem worldwide and is known to affect both younger and older adults. The
stressful and time consuming curriculum of medical students predisposes them to this problem. Few statistics are available on prevalence
rates of LBP among medical students in India. This study assesses the prevalence and risk factors of LBP in students of a medical college in
Delhi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a medical college in Delhi. The study subjects (n = 160; 100% participation) were
selected via stratified random sampling from all undergraduate medical students (aged 17-25 years). A validated questionnaire was used
to collect the data. Results: The overall prevalence of LBP among the students over the past one year was 47.5% (n = 76) with a prevalence
of 32.5% at the time of data collection. Prevalence among males and females was 45.3% and 50%, respectively. Significant associations
were found between LBP in the past year and coffee drinking (Regular = 57%, Occasional = 38.9%, Never = 65.2%, χ2 = 7.24, P = 0.02),
body posture (Normal = 32.6%, Abnormal = 75%, χ2 = 18.97, P < 0.001), place of study (Study table = 33.8%, Bed = 58.6, Both = 61.5%
χ2 = 10.51, P = 0.01), family history of LBP (Present = 75%, Absent = 38.3%, χ2 = 16.17, P < 0.001) and carrying backpacks (Regular = 50%,
Occasional = 33%, Never = 0%, χ2 = 16.17, P < 0.001). The mean scores of depression (2.7 vs. 1.6), anxiety (3.5 vs 1.9), and monotonous
work (3.9 vs. 1.8) were found to be significantly higher in group with LBP than in the non-LBP group. However, no association with LBP
was seen for weight lifting, watching television/working on computers, driving, wearing heels, or body mass index. Discussion: The high
prevalence of LBP among medical students and its association with poor study habits, lifestyle habits, and psychological factors highlight a
need for life skills training, education, counseling, and restructuring of the medical curriculum.

Keywords: Low back pain, lifestyle, medical students, risk factors, work

Context of 30[2] and peaks in occurrence between the ages of 45 and

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common orthopedic problem
worldwide. According to some estimates approximately
60-80% of the general population will suffer from LBP at some
point in their lifetime and 20-30% are suffering from LBP at
any given time.[1] Cross-sectional data demonstrate that initial
onset of lower back pain commonly occurs around the age
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DOI:
10.4103/1357-6283.120702
60 years.[2,3] LBP is no longer the disease of the old. Surprisingly,
39.8% of the adolescent population is also found to suffer from
LBP.[4] It limits daily activities in 10-40% of adolescents. In the
US, LBP has been reported as the major factor responsible for
limiting peoples’ activities in those aged below 45 years and
is a common patient complaint in clinics and frequent reason
for hospitalization and surgery.[5] In India, approximately
35% of people suffer from chronic LBP, which significantly
hampers their day-to-day routine.[6] LBP also affects people’s
mood leading to depression, anxiety, irritability, poor social
interactions, and lower overall health status.[7] In adolescents,
LBP has been found to be associated with growth spurts,
hamstring and abdominal muscle flexibility, and smoking.
It has also been correlated with discomfort in bed, physical
inactivity, poor posture, and heavy back-packs.[8]

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Tanu Anand, Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated L.N, G.N.E.C and G.B. Pant Hospitals,
New Delhi - 110 002, India. E-mail: drtanu.anand@gmail.com

Education for Health • Volume 26 • Issue 2 (August 2013) 103

 Aggarwal, et al.: Low Back Pain and Risk Factors Amongst Medical Students
Medical schools tend to have demanding curricula, making
students prone to a sedentary lifestyle and possibly increasing
the risk of LBP.[9,10] The undergraduate medical curriculum in
India spans five and one-half class years, with 3820 hours. It
calls for long hours of sitting during study, hence, predisposing
to LBP. A recent study by Majra et al.[11] of medical students
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in southern India reveals an increase in health risk behaviors
and a decline in health promoting behaviors among students
over the years of their medical schooling. In another study
conducted in a medical school in Malaysia, Indian ethnicity
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came with a greater risk of being obese than other ethnic
groups.[12] A study of similar student groups in the same
setting found that the mean hours spent by medical students
in recumbent or sitting postures was 9.5 (±5.34) hours per
day.[10] Lifestyle factors, including smoking behavior, lack of
physical exercise, and short sleep hours, are also considered
to be risk factors of LBP.[13]
Few statistics are available on the prevalence of LBP in India.
Further, there is a paucity of studies of LBP and its associated
risk factors among younger age groups, including medical
students. Once the true prevalence rate is known, the societal
impact of LBP in terms of cost and disability can be better
assessed and interventions developed. Therefore this study
was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of LBP and identify
its various associated risk factors among undergraduate
students of a medical college in Delhi.
Methods
Study Setting and Study Participants
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of
undergraduate medical students (Bachelor of Medicine and
Bachelor of Surgery; MBBS) of all five and one-half class
years studying in a medical college in Delhi. Every year 200
students are admitted to the institution; therefore, there
are around 1000 students in the medical college studying
at any given time. They typically range in age from 17 to
25 years. The sample size for this study was determined
on the basis of an estimated prevalence rate of LBP found
in the USA. Taking 39% as the expected prevalence rate of
LBP[4] at a 95% confidence level, the required sample size was
calculated to be 160 medical students to yield prevalence
estimate with 5% precision. The sample was selected from
different class years of medical students through stratified
random sampling. Students of each class year were listed
according to their roll numbers, and 40 students were then
selected using systematic random sampling. The first number
for each class year was selected using random number table
and then every fifth roll number from the first selected roll
number was enrolled. Selected students were contacted and
informed consent was obtained from each participant before
data collection.
104
Study Tool
A pretested, self-administered, structured questionnaire
was used for data collection. It included items to record
socio-demographic characteristics and assess the presence
of risk factors for LBP among the medical students.
The questionnaire contained items to assess for LBP
and associated factors with the Acute Low Back Pain
Screening questionnaire issued by a New Zealand guidelines
group.[14] The questionnaire is a screening tool for identifying
risk-factors for long-term disability and work loss in
patients with LBP. Additional questions regarding students’
involvement in various activities like lifting weights and
watching television were included based on a literature
review.[9] The questionnaire was reviewed for suitability,
relevance and accuracy in the Indian context. It was pretested
in the English language with ten dental students and was
suitably modified. Internal consistencies of the items on LBP
were obtained through a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.90).
There were 21 questions to screen for psychosocial and physical
factors associated with LBP. For question regarding where pain
was present in the body other than back, the number of sites
indicated by a student were multiplied by two. One to ten scoring
was used for questions reflecting the duration of current back
pain, rating of pain intensity in the past year, number of episodes
of LBP suffered during the past year, days of work missed due to
LBP in the past one year, perceived monotony/heaviness of work,
whether one feels tense or anxious, feeling depressed in the
past year, perceptions of the likelihood that the current episode
of LBP will become persistent and attitudinal questions such as
‘physical activity worsens the pain’, ‘one should stop working
if the pain increases in intensity’, and ‘one should not do work
when currently suffering from pain’. The score for questions such
as decrease in pain following some coping mechanism, chances
of studying/working in next six months, satisfaction with current
study schedule, and ability to do activities like light work, walk,
ordinary household chores, shopping, and sleeping at night was
obtained by subtracting the number ticked in each question
from 10. A summed score from all the questions was calculated,
with a maximum of 210. The score reflects people’s perceived
ability to function. A score exceeding 105 indicates that a person
is at risk for developing greater disability and therefore needs
modifications in his/her current LBP management.[14]
Other questions related to the frequency of different activities
in which the respondents are involved in a typical week, such
as physical exercise, practicing yoga, weight lifting, carrying
backpacks, watching television, working on laptop/personal
computers (PC), driving, wearing heels, smoking, alcohol,
coffee intake, and travelling by public transport.
A nonstretchable measuring tape was used for measuring the
student’s height to the nearest centimeter and their weight
was measured with a portable scale.
Education for Health • Volume 26 • Issue 2 (August 2013)
 Aggarwal, et al.: Low Back Pain and Risk Factors Amongst Medical Students

Definition of Variables
LBP was defined for students as pain in the lumbar region.
We classified LBP as acute (if present for less than 4 weeks) and
chronic (if present for more than 12 weeks). For assessment
of activities, ‘regular’ was defined as activity done ‘daily’ and
as ‘occasional’ if done ‘1-2 times’ per week.
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respectively. There were 77 (48.1%) study subjects whose father
[3] worked in a professional occupation and 90 (56.25%) whose
mothers were housewives. A strong majority of the subjects
were local residents of Delhi (n = 130; 81.2%) [Table 1].
The overall prevalence of LBP among subjects over the past one

year was 47.5% (n = 76) with 32.5% (n = 52/160) suffering

Survey Procedure from LBP at the time of survey. The past year prevalence ratio
Questionnaires were distributed to the selected students after of LBP among males (45.3%) and females (50%) was found to
obtaining written informed consent. The subjects were given be close to one (2 = 0.34, P = 0.55) indicating that the gender
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between 15 and 30 minutes to complete the questionnaires. groups did not differ [Table 1].
The questionnaires were scrutinized at the time of collection
and if any information was missing, students were asked LBP occurrence in the past year was reported highest in students
again for that information to be completed. All subjects in the final class year (n = 23; 57.5%) and lowest in the students
were told that they could seek professional help for any back of the first class year (n = 13; 32.5%) but overall the prevalence
pain if they required, available through the Department of differences were not statistically significant (2 = 5.61,
Orthopaedics, Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. An Information P = 0.13). No significant association was found between LBP
Education Communication (IEC) in the form of a booklet was in the past year and father’s occupation (2 = 1.05, P = 0.78)
also designed and distributed after data collection to educate or mother’s occupation (2 = 5.06, P = 0.167) [Table 1].
the students on the problem of LBP. The anthropometric
measurements were taken by the investigator at the time The level of students’ many daily activities (regular, occasional,
questionnaires were collected using validated methods.[15] never) including outdoor sports, physical activity, yoga,
watching television, working on the computer, driving,
Analysis travelling by public transport, carrying backpacks, meeting
Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and transferred into SPSS friends, drinking coffee and alcohol, smoking, wearing heels
version 17 for analysis. Findings were presented as group for girls was assessed for association with LBP [Table 2]. The
proportions, and difference in proportions for a given factor behaviors found to be significantly associated with LBP were
was assessed by the Chi-square test. A P value cut off for coffee drinking (2 = 7.24, P = 0.03), body posture (2 = 18.97,
statistical significance was set at 0.05. Difference between the
means of the two groups was compared by t-test (for normally Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics and the presence of low
distributed variables) or Mann–Whitney test (for nonnormally back pain in the past year among study subjects (n=160)
distributed variables). Factors which were significantly Student characteristics Number (%) Presence of LBP χ2, P value
associated (P < 0.05) with LBP in univariate analysis were in past year, (%)
further analyzed in Multiple Logistic regression analysis. Odds Age (meanμs.d.) in years 20.61μ2.6
Ratios (ORs) were calculated indicating the relative odds of (18-23 years)
occurrence of LBP due to the presence of a particular factor. Gender
Male 86 (53.8) 39 (45.3) 0.35, 0.556
Female 74 (46.2) 37 (50)
Ethical Issues
Study year/professional year
All students who participated in the study were informed I 40 (25) 13 (32.5) 5.61, 0.13 (df=3)
about the purpose of the study and full free and voluntary II 40 (25) 21 (52.5)
consent was taken before their inclusion. Each medical student III 40 (25) 19 (47.5)
who participated in the study was free to withdraw from the IV 40 (25) 23 (57.5)
study at any point in time and was ensured confidentiality of Total 160 (100) 76 (47.5)
the responses. The study was approved by the institutional FatherÊs occupation
ethics committee of the medical college. Professional 77 (48.1) 39 (50.6) 1.05, 0.78 (df=3)
Semi-professional 22 (13.8) 10 (45.5)
Clerk/business 44 (27.5) 20 (45.5)
Results Semi-skilled 17 (10.6) 6 (37.5)
MotherÊs occupation
Out of the 160 study subjects, 86 (53.8%) were males and Professional 42 (26.25) 19 (45.2) 5.06, 0.167 (df=3)
74 (46.2%) were females. The mean age was 20.6 ± 2.6 years. Semi-professional 10 (6.25) 4 (40)
The mean height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) Clerk/business 18 (11.25) 13 (72.2)
of the study group were 167 ± 12.58 cm (140-269 cm), Housewife 90 (56.25) 40 (44.4)
62.15 ± 10.03 kg (40-90 kg), and 22.09 ± 2.71 (13.30-30.11), LBP: Low ack pain

Education for Health • Volume 26 • Issue 2 (August 2013) 105

 Aggarwal, et al.: Low Back Pain and Risk Factors Amongst Medical Students

Table 2: Bivariate analysis of low back pain with various daily

P < 0.001), and study place (2 = 10.51, P = 0.01). Family
activities and habits history of LBP (2 = 16.17, P < 0.001) was also found to
be significantly associated in the group with LBP. Carrying
Activity/habit LBP+ LBP− χ2, P value
N=76 (%) N=84 (%) backpacks (2 = 5.29, P = 0.07) was close to being significantly
Playing outdoor sports: Regular (n=28) 14 (50) 14 (50) 0.74, 0.691 related to having LBP.
Occasional (n=98) 44 (44.9) 54 (55.1)
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Never (n=34) 18 (52.9) 16 (47.1) Perceived monotonous work, anxiety, satisfaction, and
Doing physical exercise: Regular (n=41) 20 (48.8) 21 (51.2) 2.16, 0.33 depression scores were each calculated on a scale of 1 to
Occasional (n=94) 41 (43.6) 53 (56.4) 10 for the group with LBP and those without LBP. Perceived
Never (n=25) 15 (60) 10 (40) monotony of work, anxiety, and depression was rated
Doing yoga: Regular (n=6) 1 (16.7) 5 (83.3) 4.11, 0.13 significantly higher by the group of students with LBP
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Occasional (n=51) 21 (41.2) 30 (58.8) whereas satisfaction score was higher in the group without
Never (n=103) 54 (52.4) 49 (47.6)
LBP. Overall mean scores calculated based on summing all
Weight lifting: Regular (n=19) 7 (36.8) 12 (63.2) 1.40, 0.50
these items assessing LBP physical and psychosocial risk
Occasional (n=34) 15 (44.1) 19 (55.9)
Never (n=107) 54 (50.5) 53 (49.5)
factors was found to be significantly higher in the group with
Carrying backpacks/college bags* LBP (P < 0.01) [Table 3].
Regular (n=141) 71 (50.4) 70 (49.6) 5.29, 0.07
Occasional (n=15) 5 (33.3) 10 (66.7) To understand the coassociation of various risk factors in the
Never (n=4) 0 (0) 4 (100) current occurrence of LBP among medical students, logistic
Watching TV: Regular (n=74) 38 (51.4) 36 (48.6) 1.01, 0.60 regression analysis was done. The outcome variable was LBP
Occasional (n=74) 32 (43.2) 42 (56.8) as currently present or absent. Independent variables with
Never (n=12) 6 (50) 6 (50) P < 0.05 in univariate analysis were entered into the model.
Working on PC/laptop: Regular (n=86) 42 (48.8) 44 (51.2) 1.05, 0.59 Through multiple logistic regression analysis it was found
Occasional (n=62) 30 (48.4) 32 (51.6) that not studying at a table, abnormal body posture, carrying
Never (n=12) 4 (33.3) 8 (66.7)
backpacks regularly or occasionally, family history of LBP, and
Smoking: Regular (n=2) 0 (0) 2 (100) 1.24, 0.54
finding one’s work monotonous were independently correlated
Occasional (n=7) 2 (28.6) 5 (71.4)
Never (n=151) 54 (35.7) 97 (64.3)
with LBP [Table 4].
Alcohol intake: Regular (n=5) 1 (20) 4 (80) 1.61, 0.45
Occasional (n=11) 5 (45.5) 6 (54.5) Discussion
Never (n=144) 70 (48.6) 74 (51.4)
Coffee intake*: Regular (n=42) 24 (57.1) 18 (42.9) 7.25, 0.03 This descriptive, cross-sectional, self-administered
Occasional (n=95) 37 (38.9) 58 (61.1) questionnaire-based study in an Indian medical college
Never (n=23) 15 (65.2) 8 (34.8) revealed a LBP prevalence of 48% in medical students over the
Travelling by public transport: 37 (47.4) 41 (52.6) 0.65, 0.72 past year. This finding is very close to the 43% rate reported
Regular (n=78)
for medical students of the University of Colorado in the U.S.
Occasional (n=70) 32 (45.7) 38 (54.3)
in 2008[16] and a 53% rate reported for medical students at
Never (n=12) 7 (58.3) 5 (41.7)
Driving: Regular (n=28) 16 (57.1) 12 (42.9) 2.01, 0.36
Paracelsus Medical University in Austria.[9] These high figures
Occasional (n=76) 37 (48.7) 39 (51.3) point toward medical students’ sedentary lifestyles and
Never (n=56) 23 (41.1) 33 (58.9) stressful routines predisposing them to this painful morbidity.[9]
Meeting friends/going to parties: 15 (50) 15 (50) 1.95, 0.38
Regular (n=30)
Occasional (n=119) 58 (48.7) 61 (51.3) Table 3: Association of low back pain with physical and mental
Never (n=11) 3 (27.3) 8 (72.7) characteristics of students
Wearing heels (girls only): Regular (n=4) 3 (75) 1 (25) 1.49, 0.48 Student Mean±s.d. Mean±s.d. t value# P value
Occasional (n=36) 20 (55.6) 16 (44.4) characteristic (LBP +) (LBP −)
Never (n=120) 53 (44.2) 67 (55.8) Age (in years) 20.76μ1.48 20.48μ1.49 −1.220 0.224
Family history of LBP*: Present (n=40) 30 (75) 10 (25) 16.17,<0.001 Weight (in kg) 62.21μ10.08 62.09μ10.05 −0.078 0.938
Absent (n=120) 46 (38.3) 74 (61.7) Height (in cm) 167.43μ10.85 168.33μ14.01 0.449 0.654
Body posture*: Normal (n=86) 28 (32.6) 58 (67.4) 18.97,<0.001 BMI (in kg/m2) 22.05μ2.56 22.14μ2.85 0.195 0.846
Abnormal (n=32) 24 (75) 8 (25) LBP score* 59.03μ26.20 6.77μ7.71 - <0.001
Do not know (n=42) 24 (57.1) 18 (42.9) Monotonous work* 3.91μ2.52 1.85μ2.50 - <0.001
Study place*: Study table (n=74) 25 (33.8) 49 (66.2) 10.51, 0.01 Anxiety* 3.50μ2.51 1.94μ2.47 - <0.001
Bed (n=58) 34 (58.6) 24 (41.4) Satisfaction* 7.09μ2.29 8.18μ2.71 - <0.001
Both (n=26) 16 (61.5) 10 (38.5) Depression* 2.67μ2.34 1.56μ2.74 - <0.001
*P<0.05 *P<0.05, #t value was not calculated if Mann-Whitney test was applied

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 Aggarwal, et al.: Low Back Pain and Risk Factors Amongst Medical Students
Table 4: Multivariate logistic regression analysis of low back pain
and associated risk factors
Variable Odds ratio (95% CI)
Anxiety (0-10) 1.08 (0.88-1.32)
Depression (0-10) 1.10 (0.89-1.25)
Backpacks (0=never, 1=regular/occasional)* 3.26 (1.03-10.25)
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Abnormal body posture (1=absent, 0=present)* 0.22 (0.09-0.49)
Coffee intake (0=never, 1=regular/occasional) 0.91 (0.51-1.61)
Family history (0=absent, 1=present)* 2.58 (1.41-5.87)
Satisfaction (0-10) 0.93 (0.79-1.09)
Monotonous work (0-10)* 1.21 (1.02-1.43)
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Study place (0=study table, 1=bed/other)* 1.96 (1.18-3.26)
*P <0.05, CI: Confidence interval
Their hectic study curriculum and busy schedules make their
lives sedentary devoid of any physical activities like jogging,
exercises, yoga, sports, outdoor games, etc., A study done with
students of this same Delhi college in 2010 revealed that only
one-third of the medical students were doing the generally
recommended amount of physical activity.[10] Their long college
work hours meant that students study late into night and often
with poor posture, leading to complaints of LBP.[9]
A general trend of increasing LBP with each class year
was noted with a slight dip in the third year. The reason
for this could be increasing levels of work, stress, anxiety,
dissatisfaction, and book bag load with each year. Further, with
each progressing year in the MBBS curriculum, clinical postings
increase requiring longer periods of standing. Students stand
with heavy bags on their backs, promoting bad body posture
and strained backs.
Students who found their work monotonous were at
more likely to report LBP. Recent literature supports the
biological plausibility of this relationship. There is little
information on the specific pathophysiologic connections
between emotional states and perception of pain in
the lower back.[17] According to the recent U.S. National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health review of
work-related musculoskeletal problems, including LBP, there
is accumulating scientific evidence of connections between
the brain and the locomotor system. In particular, it is
suspected that perception of lack of well-being operating
through the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and
the sympatho-adrenal medullary axis alters muscle tone
and function, predisposing to injury.[17,18] Monotony is a
part and parcel of the lives of medical students and other
adolescents too whose curriculum and lifestyle completely
lacks recreational activities. These students lack time to
spend on hobbies, predisposing them to mental stress, and
depression,[19] which in turn, are important components for
development of pain. Therefore, medical schools should take
steps to incorporate mind-refreshing activities within the
curriculum to promote health among students and doctors.
Education for Health • Volume 26 • Issue 2 (August 2013)
Although no significant association was found between LBP
and mother’s occupation, students who have working mothers
showed a greater prevalence of LBP than students whose
P value
mothers are housewives. This group difference cannot be
0.48
0.78
explained in this study, but we wonder if the quality of time
0.04 spent under constant supervision is important.
0.0002
0.74 More students who carried backpacks regularly or occasionally
0.02 reported LBP. We find that with each study year, the load of bags
0.36 increases with increasing weight of medical books, which might
0.02 explain the increase in LBP. This finding is supported by a study
0.001 done by Heuscher et al.[20] on 465 health education students. One
solution is to provide lockers in college or hostel accommodations
for students. Students should also be taught the correct way of
handling bags on their back to minimize harm.
Abnormal body posture and studying in bed were found to be
significantly more common among students suffering from LBP.
Accurate guidance to students should be provided for correct
standing, sitting, lying, and bending postures. The family
history of LBP was found to be significant in those suffering
from LBP, consistent with research done elsewhere.[21,22]
Limitations of the Study
The study is not without limitations. The biggest limitation is
that this study has been undertaken in a single medical college
of Delhi and its findings may not fully reflect the situation for
medical students elsewhere in India or internationally. The
sample group selected also may not fully reflect the population
of students at our school. Further, the subjects’ assessment
of LBP (both current and past episodes) may be subject to
recall bias and subject bias. This would have been addressed
if daily logs recording each episode of LBP were maintained
by the students. Further, the level of daily activities and
psychological state of mind was evaluated for relation with
LBP based on subjective questions with 0 to 10 score/regular/
occasional/never categories, which were answered according
to what the subject felt, which might actually differ from the
actual severity of the problem. Finally, psychological stress
due to work monotony has not been evaluated over a period
of time, which might have adverse affect on the prevalence
of LBP. Better results could have been obtained if monotony
before LBP onset was compared with index of monotony after
LBP onset in a cohort or intervention study.
Conclusion
The study concluded that prevalence of LBP in a medical college
in Delhi is 48% (annual prevalence) and 33% (point prevalence),
which is quite high. Limitations notwithstanding, the study
has provided useful insight into the problem of LBP among
medical students. This research should be expanded to other
Indian medical schools to get a broader assessment of the
problem of LBP among Indian medical students.
107
 Aggarwal, et al.: Low Back Pain and Risk Factors Amongst Medical Students
This study also highlights the need for a back school or a
college health program[23] for medical students, that provides
education and guidance to all. Students should be taught
methods promoting a pain free life, including correct body
postures, the benefits of exercise, and exercises to relax the
back and release tension. More focus should be given to
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second and fourth year professional students, perhaps through
opportunities for recreation and restructuring of medical
curriculum to redistribute the subjects in different professional
years to lessen the stress of the medical curriculum.
nYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC1y0abggQZXdgGj2MwlZLeI= on 01/02/2024
Acknowledgment
This project was done as a part of short-term studentship received
by the first author from the Indian Council of Medical Research. Their
support is greatly acknowledged by the authors.
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How to cite this article: Aggarwal N, Anand T, Kishore J, Ingle GK. Low back
pain and associated risk factors among undergraduate students of a medical
college in Delhi. Educ Health 2013;26:103-8.
Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: No.
Education for Health • Volume 26 • Issue 2 (August 2013)