Beliefs regarding low back pain and spine care amongst sub-urban communities of a lower middle-income country

Abstract

Back pain is a common health issue affecting people of all ages and demographics. Eighty per cent of adults are predicted to suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Spine care is crucial in the management of back pain, and it is essential to understand the perception of spine care in different populations. People with varied incomes may have different available facilities, perceptions, and attitudes towards spine care. This may lead to disparity in treatment-seeking and outcomes. This study proposal aims to investigate the perception of spine care in the local population with back pain, along with factors creating differences. We surveyed 269 patients with back pain in two different communities in Karachi. We found out that usually, people with low monthly income do nothing for their back pain, while those with moderate income usually take analgesics and seek medical advice. The majority of the patients think that the availability of better healthcare facilities will improve their spine care.