Prevalence and factors associated with joint pain in Nepal: findings from a countrywide cross-sectional STEPS survey

Objective This study aims to determine the prevalence of joint pain and its association with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioural factors in Nepal. Design The study was a national cross-sectional population-based study. Setting We used the most recent nationally representative population-based cross-sectional health survey, The WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey, 2019 from all seven provinces of Nepal including both urban and rural areas. Participants The participants were men and women aged 15-69 years, who were usual residents of the households for at least 6 months and have stayed the night before the survey. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcome in this study was prevalence of joint pain. The secondary outcome measure was factors associated with joint pain in Nepal. Joint pain in our study was based on any self-reported symptoms of joint pain, stiffness and swelling lasting for more than 1 month in the past 12 months. Data were weighted to generate national estimates. Results The prevalence of self-reported joint pain in Nepal was 17% (95% CI 14.3% to 20.2%) with higher prevalence for older adults, females, ever married, none/less than primary education, smoker, lowest wealth quintile, homemaker, those with sufficient physical activity and those living in the Karnali province of Nepal. In multivariable analysis self-reported joint pain was found to be associated with advanced age (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.36; 95% CI 1.56 to 3.55), sex (AOR=1.47; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.82) and sufficient physical activity (AOR=0.40; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.65). Conclusions The results showed a high prevalence of joint pain in Nepal. Considering the process of ageing and rapid growth in non-communicable disease, this study warrants the need for health policies directed to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for people affected by chronic musculoskeletal conditions addressing related disabilities and loss of work in Nepal.