MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common health problem among students and young adults. Although physiotherapy is effective for managing MSK pain, cultural beliefs and personal perceptions often influence its utilization. Understanding these beliefs is essential for improving access to physiotherapy care and awareness. This study aimed to determine the influence of cultural beliefs on the utilization of physiotherapy services for managing musculoskeletal pain among undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data were obtained from undergraduate students through a self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic details and items assessing cultural beliefs and physiotherapy utilization. Responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.” Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square and correlation analyses, were used to summarize data and test relationships between variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. The study showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back, neck, and shoulders. A statistically significant but weak relationship was observed between cultural beliefs and physiotherapy utilization (r = 0.208, p < 0.001). Gender was significantly associated with the 7-day prevalence of pain, with females reporting more pain than males, while other demographic variables showed no significant associations. Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among students. Although cultural beliefs significantly influence physiotherapy utilization, the effect is weak, suggesting other factors such as accessibility, affordability, and awareness also play key roles.