Effect of Self-Care Guidelines on Low Back Pain among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Gestational low back pain is a significant complaint during gestation, being responsible for any negative impacts on the quality of life of pregnant women.
Aim: Evaluate the effect of self-care guidelines on low back pain among pregnant women.
Method: Quasi-experimental (pre/post-test) design used to achieve the study aim. The study was carried out at the outpatient clinic for antenatal care in Kafr ElSheikh University Hospital. Purposive samples were composed of 39 pregnant women included in this study. Tools used included a structured interview questionnaire; to assess demographic characteristics of the studied sample, assess the obstetric history of pregnant women, assess pregnant women's knowledge regarding low back pain and assess pregnant women's reported practices toward relieving low back pain. The second tool was a visual analog scale to assess the degree of low back pain among pregnant women. Result: Revealed statistically significant differences between mean scores of pregnant women knowledge, self-reported practices, and the mean scores of pain degree among pregnant women pre, post-self-care guidelines implementation.

Conclusion: The self-care guidelines improved pregnant women's knowledge, practices, and relieving low back pain, recommending that self-care guidelines in obstetrics & gynecological departments and antenatal outpatient clinics to relieve low back pain among pregnant women. Besides, counseling and health education programs must be provided to all pregnant women to increase their knowledge regarding relieving low back pain during pregnancy.