title: Infant carrying methods: Correlates and associated musculoskeletal disorders among nursing mothers in Nigeria.
abstract: Infant carrying is an integral part of the mothering occupation. Paucity of data exists on its correlates and associated musculoskeletal injuries. In this study, factors and musculoskeletal injuries associated with infant carrying were investigated in 227 nursing mothers, using a structured questionnaire. 77.1% utilised the back infant carrying methods (ICM). Maternal comfort was the major factor influencing participants' (37.4%) choices of ICMs. Infant's age (p = .000) and transportation means (p = .045) were significantly associated with ICMs. Low back pain (82.8%) and upper back pain (74.9%) were the most reported musculoskeletal discomforts associated with ICMs, especially among women who utilised back ICM. Back ICM is predominantly used by nursing mothers. Impact statement Infant carrying has been associated with increased energy cost and biomechanical changes. Currently, there is a paucity of data on infant carrying-related musculoskeletal injuries. In this study, investigating factors and musculoskeletal injuries associated with infant carrying, the results showed that back infant carrying method is predominantly used by nursing mothers. Age of the infant and mothers' means of transportation were determinant factors of infant carrying methods. Among the several reported infant carrying-related musculoskeletal disorders, low back and upper back pain were the most prevalent, especially among women who utilised the back infant carrying method. There is need for women's health specialists to introduce appropriate ergonomic training and interventions on infant carrying tasks in order to improve maternal musculoskeletal health during the childbearing years and beyond. Further experimental studies on the effects of various infant carrying methods on the musculoskeletal system are recommended.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences , College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus , Enugu , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chidiebele Petronilla
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ojukwu
authors.affiliation: b Department of Anatomy , College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus , Enugu , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Godson Emeka
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Anyanwu
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physiotherapy , Federal Teaching Hospital , Abakaliki , Ebonyi State , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emelie Morris
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Anekwu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences , College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus , Enugu , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sylvester Caesar
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chukwu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences , College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus , Enugu , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chukwubuikem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fab-Agbo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Nursing mothers; correlates; infant carrying methods; maternal characteristics; musculoskeletal disorders; socio-demographic characteristics