Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in both developed and developing countries, ranking highest of the 291 conditions studied in terms of years lost to disability in 2010 . Worldwide, the prevalence of LBP is 30–80% among the general population, increasing with age and lower socioeconomic status and education levels . Although data are missing, it is estimated that the burden of LBP in low-income countries is relatively high due to their low overall socioeconomic status, lack of work protection, and restricted access to medical care . In African countries, in particular, patients may not have access to adequate health care due to economic reasons, as well as the distance to referral hospitals, and thus to health specialities, such as physiotherapy, physical rehabilitation, and pain medicine.
United Nations Human Development Index. http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/HDI. Accessed Mar 2019.