The burden of non-specific chronic low back pain among adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a protocol for a mixed-methods study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health concern, affecting individuals of all age groups across the world. In about 90% of LBP cases, there is no specific cause identified and is, therefore, referred to as non-specific LBP. Due to the non-specific nature of LBP, investigations such as radiological and laboratory investigations are unnecessary and results to delayed diagnosis and improper treatment culminating in LBP progressing into chronic LBP (CLBP). LBP is now the leading cause of disability with a significant socioeconomic burden. Despite all these challenges, CLBP is regarded as a trivial condition in low-and-middle-income countries and remains poorly investigated. The distribution of CLBP in Africa is unclear.

Methods and analysis

The research will be

SUBMITTER: Kahere M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7467525 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature