Managing low-back pain in rural Uganda: a qualitative study exploring the perspectives and practices of frontline health workers regarding LBP management in primary care.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Low-back pain (LBP) is the main cause of years lived with disabilities (YLDs) worldwide and the second cause of YLDs in Uganda. In 2019, it was responsible for 7.4% of global YLDs and 5% of YLDs in Uganda. LBP takes a significant toll on people's quality of life and disproportionately affects lower socioeconomic classes, elders, and women. In rural Uganda, LBP is managed in health centres by clinical officers and nurses with limited resources. This study aims to understand the perspectives and practices of these health workers.

METHOD

A qualitative design using semi-structured focus-group discussions was employed. Purposive sampling allowed us to identify relevant participants based on their roles as healthcare professionals working in primary care context in rural South-West Uganda. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

LBP is a common and persistent complaint among patients presenting to rural health centres in Uganda. Manual labour and female specific health conditions were deemed to be common causes. There was a strong reliance on medication prescription, coupled with X-ray diagnosis, with little emphasis on education or exercise. Finally, findings highlighted major barriers for patients within the referral system to hospital care or rehabilitation.

DISCUSSION

Education and training of frontline clinicians in terms of appropriate prescribing and rehabilitation for LBP is crucial. Evidence-based rehabilitation interventions need to be developed and adapted so that they can be delivered within the time and resource constraints of the health workforce, ensuring that they are acceptable and effective to patients in the context of rural Uganda.