Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common problem among the middle-aged and elderly populations of the world. It has been argued that pain is the most predominant disabling symptom of this condition [1]. Today, knee pain related to osteoarthritis is increasing dramatically [2]. It has been argued that the majority of people over 55 suffer from mild to moderate knee pain, and in some cases, they suffer from severe pain and disability due to KOA, respectively [3]. Pain and disability make people participate less in physical and social activities [4] and affect their health-related quality of life [5]. It has been discussed that aging is one of the main causes of suffering from KOA and its consequences [6–7]. However, it has been discussed that KOA could be started at a younger age [6]. Previous research has established the involvement of a variety of variables in the development of knee osteoarthritis, including demographic and personal factors, physical factors, and psychological aspects. Furthermore, it has been established that women are more likely than males to suffer from osteoarthritis, and that women often seek medical attention in more advanced stages of the condition and with more incapacitating pain. Additionally, variations in knee structure, range of motion, prior knee injuries, and hormonal impacts could contribute to this health issue. [7].
All ages are affected by osteoarthritis, which has multiple etiologies caused by the interaction of systemic and local causes [8]. Age, female gender, obesity, overweight, repetitive motion injuries to the knee, bone density, muscular weakness, and joint laxity all contribute to the development of KOA. Identification of risk factors and their management, particularly in the weight-bearing joints, may lower the likelihood of KOA and avert pain and impairment in the future [9, 10]. One of the most modifiable risk factors for KOA and joint pain is mechanical forces exerted on joints by overweight. It has been found that female gender, lower educational levels, obesity, and poor muscular strength are associated with symptomatic disease, as well as subsequent knee pain and disability [11]. A study of the literature identified 14 contributing factors, including professional (extrinsic) and personal (intrinsic) aspects, as potential risk factors for the illness. The major fundamental risk factors in connection to knee diseases are thought to be two elements: kneeling and squatting [10].
Changing their lifestyle, losing weight, and performing protective behaviors such as exercising, wearing appropriate shoes, strengthening muscle strength, wearing knee braces, sitting correctly and doing corrective movements, and not lifting heavy loads can prevent this health problem in those who have not yet been infected and could be effective in reducing pain in those who are in the mild and moderate stages of the problem [12]. According to various studies, there are several reasons for not performing knee protective or preventive behaviors. In recent years, it has been reported that not performing regular knee pain exercises is the most common cause of knee pain. Factors such as time limitations, individual factors such as low self-efficacy, stress, and low awareness, family factors such as a lack of support from family members, and social factors such as a lack of facilities for not doing physical activity have been mentioned [13].
Yasuj is the capital city of Kokilooyeh and Boyerahmad province in Iran. This city is located in the west, south of Iran. The people living in this city have their own culture, in which the majority of women are housewives. They have to do heavy duties and housework, including baking bread in their house. Because of the low education level and low self-efficacy of these women, as well as their traditional lifestyle, risky postural behaviors during daily activities are prevalent. Despite these realities and the high prevalence of KOA, there are no observational data on these risky behaviors or other effective determinants. Therefore, this study aimed to explore these risk factors among this neglected target group in Yasuj, Iran.