[Preaching to the converted: deficits and surpluses in preventative pain therapy in German back care programs].

BACKGROUND

In response to the growing incidence of back pain, increasing emphasis is being placed on individualized preventive measures. The purpose of the present study was to investigate representative data for back pain, participation rates of back care programs, and their correlates in the German general population.

METHODS

The first National Health Survey was carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany in the period from October 1997 to March 1999. It comprised a representative, cross-sectional study of the population with a total sample of 6235 participants between the ages of 18 and 79.

RESULTS

The 7-day prevalence for back pain in Germany was found to be 36%, and 7% of all Germans had participated in a back care program within the past year. The 1-year participation rate was significantly lower in persons with higher risk for back pain (men, full-time workers, unmarried people, and those with an unhealthy lifestyle).

CONCLUSIONS

The user profile for back care programs indicates that genuine needs are not being met and the target group is not being reached. A "preaching to the converted" phenomenon is evident, as indicated by the fact that the user group is made up of individuals who already have a healthy lifestyle and few risks while the population group most likely to develop back pain is significantly less likely to participate in preventive back care programs.