Low back pain is one of the very common health issues faced by most people in their mid-adult years. A worldwide prevalence of low back pain has been reported to be between 30-80%. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of low back pain and the factors that may cause or contribute to low back pain in Port Harcourt. A total of 401 subjects, which included 191 females and 210 males were included in the study with age range 20-59 years. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and percentages, descriptive statistics was used to establish cut-offs and social demographic variables. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square test and binary logistic regression summary. The prevalence of low back pain was found to be 48% and the mean body mass index of subjects with low back pain was 25.67. Low back pain was more prevalent among female traders (21.7%), male drivers (20.6%) and overweight subjects (55.7%). There was statistically significant difference between health status (p˂0.01), posture duration (p=0.03) body mass index (p˂0.01) of subjects and low back pain. No statistical significance was predicted between low back pain and job posture (p=0.1), age (p=0.13), exercise engagement (p=0.06) and sex (p=0.74). The point prevalence of low back pain among Port Harcourt residents was 48%, which represents almost half of the study population, indicating that low back pain is a problem faced by the study population and had positive relationship with body mass index, posture duration and health status.

Keywords : Prevalence, Low Back Pain, Nigerians, Port Harcourt, Posture, Body Mass Index.