ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Determinants of healthcare utilisation for low back pain: A population-based study in Ethiopia
Getahun K. Beyera BSc, MPH, PhD Candidate,
Jane O’Brien BExSportSc, GradCert(Mgmt), RN, MApplSci, PhD, ESSAM, AEP,
Steven Campbell RN, BNurs, PhD, FRSH, FACN, Professor of Clinical Redesign-Nursing,
Corresponding Author
Getahun K. Beyera BSc, MPH, PhD Candidate
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Correspondence
Getahun K. Beyera, School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJane O’Brien BExSportSc, GradCert(Mgmt), RN, MApplSci, PhD, ESSAM, AEP
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSteven Campbell RN, BNurs, PhD, FRSH, FACN, Professor of Clinical Redesign-Nursing
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorGetahun K. Beyera BSc, MPH, PhD Candidate,
Jane O’Brien BExSportSc, GradCert(Mgmt), RN, MApplSci, PhD, ESSAM, AEP,
Steven Campbell RN, BNurs, PhD, FRSH, FACN, Professor of Clinical Redesign-Nursing,
Corresponding Author
Getahun K. Beyera BSc, MPH, PhD Candidate
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Correspondence
Getahun K. Beyera, School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJane O’Brien BExSportSc, GradCert(Mgmt), RN, MApplSci, PhD, ESSAM, AEP
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorSteven Campbell RN, BNurs, PhD, FRSH, FACN, Professor of Clinical Redesign-Nursing
School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information
This study did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the major public health problems worldwide. However, in low-income countries, such as those in Africa, the epidemiological data on healthcare utilisation for LBP are lacking due to more pressing problems such as infectious diseases, to which the majority of health resources are channelled. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the determinants of healthcare utilisation for LBP in the general population of Ethiopia. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in South-West Shewa zone of Ethiopia from June to November 2018. The data were collected by interviewing adults with LBP (n = 1812, randomly selected) using a psychometrically tested and validated instrument, analysed using R version 3.5.1. A log-binomial regression model was used to determine the prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in identifying factors associated with healthcare utilisation for LBP. Estimates of population parameters were also presented with 95% CIs and p values. For all applications of inferential statistics, a p value of ≤.05 was taken as the significance level. The lifetime prevalence of healthcare utilisation for LBP was 36.1%, 95% CI: 33.9–38.1, while the annual prevalence rate was 30%, 95% CI: 27.9–32.2. Of those with a 1-year history of healthcare utilisation, while 7.4%, 95% CI: 4.9–10.3 rural and 36.6%, 95% CI: 29.5–44 urban populations utilised healthcare from general hospitals, 1.4%, 95% CI: 0.3–2.7 rural and 6.8%, 95% CI: 3.1–10.8 urban populations utilised healthcare from specialised hospitals. Several sociodemographic factors, modifiable health behaviours/lifestyle habits, pain interrelated factors, and specific factors such as beliefs about the pain, depressive symptoms and insomnia were associated with healthcare utilisation for LBP. The implications of this research are that it may be prudent for the Ethiopian healthcare policy makers to develop the necessary strategies to meet the health needs of both urban and rural populations with LBP.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicting interests.
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