Ergonomics

Background: Spinal pain (SP), encompassing low back, neck, and upper back discomfort, is a prevalent musculoskeletal problem among healthcare professionals and students. Clinical postings expose Basic Medical Sciences students to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing, awkward postures, and repetitive patient handling, predisposing them to SP. Despite its burden, limited research has examined its prevalence and associated factors among students across different health disciplines in Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern, contributing factors, coping strategies, and functional limitations related to spinal pain among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings at the University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 351 students from Physiotherapy, Nursing, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, spinal pain prevalence (12-month and 7-day recall), and the Spinal Functional Index (SFI). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The 12-month prevalence of lower back pain, upper back pain, and neck pain was 51.9%, 12.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. Within the past 7 days, prevalence rates were 42.2%, 14.8%, and 17.1%. Physiotherapy and Nursing students reported the highest occurrence of spinal pain. Although 20.5% of respondents sought medical care or missed activities due to pain, most reported mild functional limitations (mean SFI = 4.57 ± 2.78). There was no significant relationship between age and functional limitation (r = –0.028, p = 0.597), or between posting hours and functional limitation (r = 0.104, p = 0.052). Gender showed no significant association with spinal pain prevalence. Conclusion: Spinal pain is highly prevalent among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings, particularly among those in physiotherapy and nursing. The findings underscore the need for ergonomic education, workload management, and institutional policies that prioritize student musculoskeletal health. Keywords: Spinal pain, Basic Medical Sciences students, clinical postings, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain, University of Benin.