Breastfeeding-related thoracic spine pain and correlates in postpartum Nigerian women
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15218492 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chidiebele Petronilla Ojukwu (0000-0001-9276-892X, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, the University of Nigeria Enugu), Patrick C Okwa (Department of Medical Rehabilitation, the University of Nigeria Enugu), Ebere Y Ihegihu (Nnamdi Azikiwe University), Stephen Sunday Ede (0000-0002-4340-4297, University of Lancashire, corresponding author), Ogehukwu J Nebo (Department of Physiotherapy, David Umahi Federal, University of Health Sciences and Technology) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-15 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-22 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Care For Women International (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0739-9332 • E-ISSN: 1096-4665 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07399332.2025.2494205 |
| PMID | 40261950 |
| OpenAlex | W4409683756 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 26 |
Thoracic spine pain (TSP) is a disturbing condition associated with a decreased quality of life among postpartum women. We conducted a cross-sectional survey assessing the prevalence of TSP and associated factors among 400 conveniently recruited postpartum women from four public hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. We collected data on thoracic spine pain, posture, and mobility using the Oswestry thoracic disability index, an inclinometer, and the tape rule(cm), respectively. We found a 22.5% prevalence of TSP, with over 65% of cases occurring during and after pregnancy. More than half (64.4%) of the participants recorded flexion hypomobility, while 37.3% had extension hypomobility. We found a significant association between TSP and age (χ 2 = 2.493, p = .013), employment status (χ 2 = 11.650, p = .003), and jobs needing repetitive spinal movements like neck bending (χ 2 = 9.491, p = .023). TSP is fairly common in postpartum women with associated factors of younger age and being in jobs that require repetitive spinal movements
Breastfeeding · Cross-sectional study · Obstetrics · Physical therapy · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Pregnancy-related medical research · Pediatrics
| Highly cited | No |
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