Prevalence and risk factors of knee joint pain in women aged 49 – 60 years in Rathnapura, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Knee joint pain is a common and chronic musculoskeletal problem that predominantly affects middle-aged and older women. It hampers daily activities, causing pain, discomfort, and sometimes disability. However, limited research has investigated the combined effects of these risk factors on knee joints within the Sri Lankan context. This study examined the prevalence of chronic knee pain among women aged 49–60 years in Rathnapura, Sri Lanka, and explored modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with knee pain. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted among 322 participants selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Self-reported data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire that covered demographic factors, medical history, history of knee joint pain, and other comorbidities. Anthropometric measurements for calculating BMI were then taken, along with the recording of the type of footwear used and the number of hours spent standing per day. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and binary logistic regression. The study found a 52.8% prevalence of knee pain, with obesity and prolonged standing positions showing significant associations. Family history and previous knee injury also emerged as significant non-modifiable factors, while menopausal status and regular exercise did not. 66.1% of participants were obese, and each hour of standing incurred an 11.38% rise in the likelihood of knee pain. Non-supportive types of footwear, such as heels and certain wedges, caused the most notable pain and annoyances. There is an urgent need for weight management programs, ergonomic footwear design, and strategies to reduce prolonged standing hours in a community-based setting. Health education and screening programs would be an effective intervention through public health to alleviate the long-term burden of knee pain. The study’s findings lay the foundation for developing targeted strategies that address both biological predispositions and lifestyle factors to promote healthy aging among Sri Lankan women.