Prevalence and risk of musculoskeletal pain in rural homemakers of North India

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a well-known burden of disease and disability in all age groups and both sexes. There are very few reports regarding MSP in rural homemakers of North India. Objective: To assess the magnitude of MSP among rural homemakers and to identify its modifiable risk factors. Materials and Methods: A representative sample of 296 homemakers from rural areas of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh was studied. Details of MSP and its location; social, demographic information, height, and weight were recorded. A general clinical examination of each subject was also done to rule out any obvious underlying organic pathology and the findings were noted. Results: Prevalence of MSP among homemakers was found to be 40.9%. More than 60% of these could not be diagnosed without specialized investigations. Modifiable risk factors were identified. Conclusions: Parity, body mass index, use of nonsmoking tobacco, and per capita income were identified as modifiable risk factors in this population.