Prevalence of chronic pain in patients attending primary healthcare facilities in south-west Tshwane

Abstract

AbstractObjectives: Despite the significant biopsychosocial impact of chronic pain on the health and quality of life of an individual, as well as on healthcare utilisation, no published data are available on the prevalence of chronic pain in the South African primary healthcare context. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of chronic pain in patients attending primary healthcare facilities in south-west Tshwane.Design and setting: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in four primary healthcare clinics, situated in south-west Tshwane.Subjects: The study was conducted on 1 066 adult patients, aged 18 years or older, over a nine-week period between October and December 2010.Outcome measures: The prevalence and intensity of chronic pain was determined.Results: Chronic pain prevalence was 41%. The confidence interval (CI) was 37.2–45.6. Chronic pain was most frequently experienced as lower back pain [prevalence 30.83% (CI: 19.56–42.09)] and joint pains [prevalen...