Table 3. The prevalence, circumstances of NLBP, and ways of dealing with NLBP in the group of students divided according to age (n = 4743).
| Age | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–13 years (n = 564) |
14–16 years (n = 1,552) |
17–19 years (n = 2,627) |
|
| % | % | % | |
| NLBP frequency | |||
| Very rare NLBP (1–2/year) | 52.7 | 52.8 | 47.3 |
| NLBP a few times a year (3–6/year) | 36.0 | 35.9 | 40.3 |
| Frequent or constant NLBP (more than 1–2 months) | 11.3 | 11.3 | 12.4 |
| Circumstances in which NLBP occurred* | |||
| Lifting heavy objects | 58.9 | 53.9 | 51.7 |
| Carrying a school backpack | 44.7 | 41.8 | 37.7 |
| Physical exercises | 7.5 | 8.4 | 10.6 |
| PE lesson | 21.6 | 21.8 | 18.2 |
| Sitting | 44.2 | 46.1 | 53.0 |
| Mental stress | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Changeable weather | 7.4 | 8.2 | 11.8 |
| Other | 21.3 | 25.4 | 31.5 |
| Seeking doctor’s help | |||
| Yes | 23.2 | 18.9 | 17.1 |
| No | 76.8 | 81.1 | 82.9 |
| Ways of coping with NLBP* | |||
| Medicines prescribed by a doctor | 6.4 | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Generally available painkillers | 10.6 | 13.3 | 18.9 |
| Electrotherapy procedures | 19.7 | 21.3 | 20.9 |
| Physiotherapeutic treatment other than electrotherapy (gymnastics, exercises) | 41.3 | 49.5 | 42.2 |
| Rest | 60.5 | 64.1 | 72.4 |
| Other | 6.4 | 7.1 | 4.0 |
| What can reduce NLBP, according to the students* | |||
| I don’t know | 12.2 | 6.5 | 4.9 |
| Increased physical activity | 33.0 | 39.8 | 50.1 |
| Limiting the weight of a school backpack | 56.9 | 68.0 | 67.3 |
| Reducing the number of hours spent in a sedentary position | 34.0 | 35.2 | 49.4 |
| Adapting school equipment (desk, chair) to body height | 27.8 | 28.4 | 31.6 |
| Increasing the availability of painkillers | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Other | 6.2 | 4.3 | 1.8 |
Notes.
NLBP, non-specific low back pain.
*
The numbers do not add to 100% since the respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer.