Action needed on low back pain burdenlow back pain

A Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ajediran Idowu Bello, has revealed that more than 70 per cent of Ghanaian adults suffer from low back pain, while 13.8 per cent of those aged 50 years and above are affected by knee osteoarthritis.

Those conditions, he said, accounted for 20 per cent of the country’s musculoskeletal disease burden (See Daily Graphic, Monday, June 30, 2025, page 33).

Musculoskeletal disorders affect the structure that provides stability and movement to the human body. It includes that of the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage that work together to provide structure, stability and movement to the human body,

Also, a survey he conducted among 151 nurses and health workers in a secondary facility in Accra revealed a 69.4 per cent prevalence rate, with low back pain accounting for 72 per cent of cases.

In the education sector, his research showed that 66 per cent of primary and junior high school pupils in Accra exhibited at least two musculoskeletal deformities, such as bent elbows or toes — conditions that, if unaddressed, could progress into more serious disabilities in adulthood.

According to him, while those conditions are often seen as routine or age-related, they actually arose from complex interplay between injury, chronic disease and socioeconomic conditions which are further exacerbated by the country’s reliance on out-of-pocket healthcare payments.

This revelation highlights a significant public health concern that demands immediate attention.

This staggering statistic underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of low back pain in order to promote effective management strategies.

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability and absenteeism worldwide, and Ghana is no exception.

The high prevalence of low back pain in the country can be attributed to various factors, including lifestyle factors —  sedentary occupations, poor posture and lack of physical activity; occupational hazards —  manual labour, heavy lifting and poor working conditions; limited access to health care due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of specialised care for back pain management.

Therefore, the Daily Graphic supports the call by Prof. Bello for the immediate implementation of a national screening programme to detect musculoskeletal disorders early in children and youth across the country, along with sector-specific ergonomics training, increased access to physiotherapy services in rural areas and intensified public awareness campaigns to reduce the growing burden of musculoskeletal conditions in the country.

The paper would urge all stakeholders to adopt a multi-faceted approach to address the growing burden of low back pain in the country.

It is important to organise public awareness campaigns to educate Ghanaians about the causes, symptoms and management of low back pain.

Also, there is the need for workplace interventions. Priority must be placed on implementing ergonomic practices, promoting regular breaks and providing training on proper lifting techniques.

The paper appeals to the government to strengthen the healthcare system  by improving access to specialised care, physical therapy and pain management services.

Research and policy development is key, and as such studies have to be conducted to better understand the causes of low back pain in the country so as to develop evidence-based policies to address the issue.

One major challenge that needs to be addressed is the economic and social costs associated with managing low back pain, especially in the country.

For instance, according to Prof. Bello, in one of his studies on patients with chronic low back pain referred for physiotherapy in the Greater Accra Region, most participants earned between GH¢1,100 and GH¢1,500 monthly, yet their treatment-related expenses averaged GH¢1,408, an amount that exceeded the income of the majority.

It is therefore vital for the government to explore innovative healthcare financing models to increase access to care to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for low back pain management.

Additionally, the government could look at providing economic support and empowerment programmes for people with low back pain to reduce the financial burden on them.

The high prevalence of low back pain in the country is a pressing health concern which requires immediate attention.

It is important for all stakeholders to work together and take action to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disease to improve the quality of life for Ghanaians.