Article

PURPOSE: This study explored the experiences of people living with non-specific
chronic low back pain (CLBP) in a rural Nigerian community. METHOD: Qualitative
in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with purposively
sampled participants until data saturation. Questions explored back pain beliefs,
coping/management strategies and daily activities.
Thematic analysis of
transcripts was performed using the Framework approach. RESULTS: Themes showed
that back pain beliefs were related to manual labour/deprivation,
infection/degeneration, spiritual/cultural beliefs and rural-urban divide. These
beliefs impacted on gender roles resulting in adaptive or maladaptive coping.
Adaptive coping was facilitated by positive beliefs, such as not regarding CLBP
as an illness, whereas viewing CLBP as illness stimulated maladaptive coping
strategies. Spirituality was associated with both adaptive and maladaptive
coping. Maladaptive coping strategies led to dissatisfaction with health care in
this community. CONCLUSIONS: CLBP-related disability in rural Nigeria is strongly
influenced by beliefs that facilitate coping strategies that either enhance or
inhibit recovery. Interventions should therefore target maladaptive beliefs while
emphasizing behavioural modification. Implications for Rehabilitation
Non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is highly prevalent and responsible for
much pain and disability in rural Nigeria. No qualitative study has investigated
the experiences of people living with CLBP in rural Nigeria or any other rural
African context. Qualitative study of peoples' experiences of living with CLBP in
rural Nigeria has the potential of exposing complex socio-cultural and
psychological factors associated with CLBP which has potential implications for
designing effective interventions. The results of this study may inform the
development of complex interventions for reducing the disability associated with
CLBP in rural Nigeria and other rural African contexts.

Langue : ANGLAIS