• N O Onyemaechi, C O Chigbu, E O Ugwu, N I Omoke, O A Lasebikan, and B C Ozumba.
• Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2021 Nov 1; 24 (11): 1573-1581.

BackgroundPregnancy usually triggers a wide range of changes that result in a variety of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The scope and burden of these disorders in Nigeria are not known.AimThe study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of pregnancy-related MSDs in Enugu.Patients And MethodsA cross-sectional study of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at three tertiary hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria, was done using an observer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.ResultsA total of 317 participants were studied. A majority of the participants (93.1%) had one or more MSDs. Low back pain (LBP) and muscle cramps were the two most common pregnancy-related MSDs with prevalence rates of 56.8 and 54.8%, respectively. Increasing gestational age (P = 0.001), previous pregnancies (P = 0.027), and occupation (P = 0.018) were associated with increased risk of MSDs. A majority of the MSDs were of mild and moderate severity and 10.4% of the participants had significant impairment of their daily activities.ConclusionMSDs are common in pregnancy with LBP and muscle cramps as the most prevalent conditions. Increasing gestational age, multigravidity, and occupation increased the risk of MSDs among our cohorts. Preventive and therapeutic measures should be instituted when necessary to ensure optimal maternal health during pregnancy.

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