International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021132020050222422242ENMedical Student, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityOrthopedic Resident, Saudi Orthopedic Program, King Abdualaziz Specialist Hospital, TaifMedical Student, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityCollege of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, DammamMedical Student, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityMedical Student, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif CityDepartment of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif City20200502<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Lower back pain (LBP) refers to pain in the back between the last rib and the gluteal fold. Recent psychological research indicates a relevant connection between severe pain and emotional stress. The etiology of musculoskeletal pain shown to be influenced by low social support, high job demands, and low job control. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">A cross‑sectional study of 640 medical students in Taif University was carried out from November 2018 to April 2019. A standardized Nordic questionnaire was employed to assess musculoskeletal pain and K10 was used to assess psychological stress.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Our study found 33.3% of medical students reported lower back pain,<br />20.7% reported lower back pain 0–7 days during the last 12 months, and 18.8% reported reduction of activity due to lower back pain during the last 12 months. The mean stress score was 22.7 ± 8.8; 20.7% of students with mild stress reported lower back pain. LBP showed non‑significant association to stress categories (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.409). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Our survey found no significant association between<br />LBP and psychological stress. The three main risk factors associated with lower back pain were being a 2</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">nd </span><span class="fontstyle2">year medical student, female gender, and high working hours.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Low back pain, medical students, stress</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2242http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2242/717718085