The prevalence and risk factors of chronic low back pain among adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: an observational cross-sectional hospital-based study

Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants (N = 678)

Variable	Frequency (N = 678)		Chronic low back pain (n = 123)
Variable	(n.)	(%)	(no.)	(%)
Age
18 – 27	45	6.6	6	4.9
28 – 37	150	22.1	21	17.1
38 – 47	202	29.8	35	28.5
48 – 57	186	27.4	34	28.5
58+	95	14.0	27	22.0
Gender
Male	284	41.9	45	36.6
Female	394	58.1	78	63.4
Marital status
Single	113	16.7	20	16.3
Married	325	47.9	65	52.9
Separated	184	27.1	28	22.8
Widowed	56	8.3	10	8.1
Body mass index (BMI)
Underweight	87	12.8	7	5.7
Normal	219	32.3	12	9.8
Overweight	216	31.9	62	50.4
Obese	156	23.0	42	34.1
Highest level of education
No formal education	137	20.0	52	42.3
Primary	215	31.7	33	26.8
Secondary	179	26.4	24	19.5
Tertiary	147	21.7	14	11.4
Exercise frequency
Yes	321	47.3	30	24.4
No	357	52.7	93	75.6
Smoking attitude
No	425	62.7	30	24.4
Light smokers	140	20.6	32	26.0
Heavy smokers	113	16.7	61	49.6
Alcohol consumption
No	328	48.4	30	24.4
Occasional	191	28.2	30	24.4
Frequent	159	23.5	63	51.2
Type of work
Semi sedentary	396	58.4	10	8.1
Sedentary	107	15.8	43	35.0
Manual labour	175	25.8	70	56.9
Sitting posture
Straight back	159	23.5	19	15.4
Stooped	114	16.8	40	32.5
Backward inclination	192	28.3	51	41.5
Forward inclination	213	31.4	13	10.6
Use of back support
Yes	171	25.2	17	13.8
No	507	74.8	106	86.2
How long in this occupation?
< 2	52	7.7	9	7.3
2 – 3	87	12.8	10	8.1
3 – 4	116	17.1	14	11.4
4 – 5	128	18.9	18	14.6
5+	295	43.5	72	58.5
Positive family history of CLBP
Yes	326	48.1	79	64.2
No	352	51.9	44	35.8

ISSN: 1471-2474