Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Stroke is a major cause of disability which may make dependent
on others. The caregiver is primarily involved in helping the stroke survivors to
live independently. Care givers may face many musculoskeletal complaints and
low back pain is most common all of them. Low back pain is the leading cause
of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world. Low
back pain is one of the most common global health problems which create a
large personal, community and financial burden. Additionally, caregivers have
high prevalence rates of low back pain (LBP) to take care the patients. This
study was focused to identify the prevalence of low back pain among caregiver
of stroke survivors and its impact on their activities of daily living.
Aim: To identify the prevalence of low back pain among caregiver of stroke
survivors and its impact on their activities of daily living.
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to find out the prevalence of low
back pain of the last 12 months among caregivers of stroke survivors, to find
out the association between low back pain of the last 12 months and
demographic variables and to find out the levels of physical disability due to
low back pain of caregivers to manage their activities of daily living.
Methodology: Cross sectional design was selected to conduct this research. In
this study, one question was used to find out the prevalence of low back pain of
the last 12 months among caregivers of stroke survivors, some demographic
variables had been chosen to show association with LBP of the last 12 months
and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2.1a was used to determine
the levels of physical disability of the female caregivers to manage in everyday
life due to LBP. Study sample was selected in comprehensive way.
Result and discussion: In this study, the prevalence of LBP was very high
among caregivers especially more common in female caregivers. Married
caregivers are more vulnerable rather than unmarried. Most of the female
caregivers had moderate disability; one third of them had severe disability and
least them experiencing minimal disability due to LBP.
Conclusion: Low Back Pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal
disorders in daily practice and also very frequent problem in Bangladesh.LBP
is more numerous in caregivers of stroke survivors than in the normal
population. Care givers are the part and parcel of intervention program. They
need to care for their own health through Occupational Health and Safety and
Ergonomics concerns from occupational therapists regarding caring for their
patients and managing their everyday life. Thus, the stroke survivors as well as
the caregivers may get their fruitful intervention.