Table 2. The prevalence, circumstances of NLBP, and ways of dealing with NLBP in the group of students divided according to sex (n = 4743).
| NLBP (n = 4743) | Sex | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls (n = 30,97) | Boys (n = 1,646) | ||
| % | % | % | |
| NLBP frequency | |||
| Very rare NLBP (1–2/year) | 49.8 | 47.4 | 54.3 |
| NLBP a few times a year (3–6/year) | 38.4 | 39.7 | 35.7 |
| Frequent or constant NLBP (more than 1–2 months) | 11.9 | 12.9 | 10.0 |
| Circumstances in which NLBP occurreda | |||
| Lifting heavy objects | 53.2 | 58.2 | 43.9 |
| Carrying a school backpack | 39.9 | 43.2 | 33.6 |
| Physical exercises | 9.5 | 8.2 | 11.9 |
| PE lesson | 19.8 | 20.9 | 17.6 |
| Sitting | 49.7 | 50.6 | 47.9 |
| Mental stress | 8.6 | 10.0 | 6.0 |
| Changeable weather | 10.1 | 10.9 | 8.7 |
| Other | 28.3 | 37.6 | 10.8 |
| Seeking doctor’s help | |||
| Yes | 18.4 | 19.5 | 16.5 |
| No | 81.6 | 80.5 | 83.5 |
| Ways of coping with NLBPa | |||
| Medicines prescribed by a doctor | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.9 |
| Generally available painkillers | 16.1 | 19.8 | 9.2 |
| Electrotherapy procedures | 20.9 | 22.6 | 17.6 |
| Physiotherapeutic treatment other than electrotherapy (gymnastics, exercises) | 41.2 | 40.4 | 42.8 |
| Rest | 68.3 | 70.8 | 63.6 |
| Other | 5.3 | 4.4 | 7.0 |
| What can reduce NLBP, according to the students* | |||
| I don’t know | 6.3 | 4.8 | 9.2 |
| Increased physical activity | 44.7 | 44.0 | 45.9 |
| Limiting the weight of a school backpack | 66.3 | 73.3 | 53.1 |
| Reducing the number of hours spent in a sedentary position | 42.9 | 46.2 | 36.8 |
| Adapting school equipment (desk, chair) to body height | 30.1 | 30.4 | 29.5 |
| Increasing the availability of painkillers | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| Other | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.8 |
Notes.
NLBP- non-specific low back pain.
a
The numbers do not add to 100% since the respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.