DO BREAST SIZE AND BRA FIT MATTER TO MUSCULOSKELETAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH OF WOMEN?

A.M. Okonji¹, H.O. Lawal¹, C.E. Mbada², M.O. Odetunde¹, P. Apeagyei², R.A. Adedoyin¹, J. Lawoe¹, F. Fatoye²

¹Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, ²Manchester Metropolitan University, Health Professions, Manchester, United Kingdom

Background: Large Breasts Size (BreS) and poor Bra Fit (BraF) are potential risk factors of musculoskeletal and psychosocial problems among women.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of BreS and BraF on Thoracic Spine Pain (TSP) and psychosocial health among Nigerian University undergraduates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved undergraduate students at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. BreS and Bra Size (BraS) were measured following standard protocol. BraF was determined by comparing BraS worn with actual BraS measurement. McGill Pain, Short form-12 (SF-12) and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaires were used to assess pain intensity due to TSP, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem, respectively. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set as p < 0.05.

Results: Two hundred and twenty students participated in the study.26.4% of the respondents had TSP. 88.6% and 97.3% of these respondents were classified to have large BreS and with poor BraF. SF-12 physical and mental health domains scores of the respondents were 87.7 and 69.3. SF-12 scale of role limitation recorded the highest score (94.7). There were significant relationships between BreS and the following: TSP (r = 0.85; p = 0.010), HRQoL (r = 0.55; p = 0.041) and self-esteem (r = 0.89; p = 0.018). However, there was no significant association between BraF and TSP (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Nigerian female undergraduate students naturally have large BreS, engage in incorrect BraS use and are predisposed to high prevalence of TSP.

Implications: BreS but not BraF significantly influence self-esteem and general health status of Nigerian undergraduates. These students may benefit from psychosocial support to improve their QoL and self-esteem.

Funding acknowledgements: No funding

Keywords:
Breast size
Musculoskeletal
Psychosocial health

Topics:
Disability & rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal
Rheumatology

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: The Institute of Public Health (HREC)

Committee: The Health Research and Ethics Committee

Ethics number: IPHOAU/12/1417