A survey on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about chronic low back pain amongst the practising doctors in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals' attitudes and opinions regarding patients with chronic low back pain are influenced by their understanding of the neurophysiology of pain, which has an impact on management decisions.

Objectives: This study evaluated practicing doctors in Uganda, East Africa, regarding their knowledge of pain and their attitudes toward patients with persistent low back pain.

Design & Settings: Two questionnaires were used in this cross-sectional study: the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), which assessed knowledge of pain, and the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS), which assessed attitudes and beliefs about pain. These were given out to 110 doctors (Physicians and Orthopedics) in active practice in Uganda.

Results: The study's response rate was 72%. Out of which, majority of the doctors were male participants. Statistical analysis of mean scores and percentages as well as graphical presentation, for both NPQ and HC-PAIRS was performed using Microsoft Excel (version 2021). It was discovered that the typical overall NPQ score was 51% and for the HC-PAIRS was 65% when used as a general indication of attitudes and beliefs.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed generally a positive attitude (65% of HC-PAIRS score) and a scope for improvement in pain knowledge (51% of NPQ score) in practicing doctors of Uganda, East Africa.