Poor Postural Habits: Definition, Consequences, Prevention and Correction Strategies in the Angolan Context
Keywords:
poor postural habits, musculoskeletal pain, postural education, prevention, ergonomics, AngolaAbstract
Introduction: Proper body posture is a fundamental pillar of musculoskeletal health and the body's functional balance; however, changes in contemporary lifestyles have increased the frequency of poor postural habits across broad segments of the population.
Objective: To characterize the presence of poor postural habits and associated factors among young and middle-aged adults in an Angolan population.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted to characterize poor postural habits, musculoskeletal pain, and self-care practices among students and young workers in Bié Province, Angola, from January to June 2025. The sample comprised 120 participants aged 15 to 45, selected via purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires, direct observation guides, and semi-structured interviews were used to assess posture, pain, knowledge, and preventive habits.
Results: The results showed that the most frequent poor postural habits were thoracic hyperkyphosis (38.3%) and lumbar hyperlordosis (26.7%), and that 48% of participants reported musculoskeletal pain, primarily in the lumbar region. More than 75% demonstrated insufficient or no knowledge regarding postural hygiene, and less than one-fifth practiced correct self-care measures.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to implement educational programs and ergonomic strategies tailored to the Angolan context to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, as well as comprehensive promotion and correction strategies that extend beyond the clinical setting to encompass educational, workplace, and community environments.
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