Chronic pain and associated factors in Maputo, Mozambique: a pilot study. Issue 1 (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walters, Camila B; Schwalbach, Teresa; Sevene, Esperança; Walters, Jenna; Jackson, Tracy; Hiremath, Girish; Moon, Troy D; McQueen, KA Kelly
• Other Names: Scott Whitney guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: British journal of pain. Volume 13:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Chronic pain -- disability -- low-income countries -- low- and middle-income countries -- Mozambique -- Africa -- pain prevalence; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.0472
• DOI: 10.1177/2049463718777009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-4637

Abstract

Introduction: Studies estimate that 20% of adults suffer from chronic pain. A meta-analysis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) found 34% had chronic pain. There are few studies on pain prevalence gathered in Africa. This study surveyed the capital city of Mozambique. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study employed in a community setting. The Vanderbilt Global Pain Survey comprised questions on the behaviour and attitudes of respondents regarding pain, including previously validated metrics: the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, the Brief Pain Inventory, Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Score, and the Michigan Body Map. Results: Ninety-seven surveys were completed out of 100. Pain every day lasting for more than 6 months in their lifetime was reported as 39.2% (CI: 29.4–49.6), and 52% of respondents had pain the day of the interview. However, the pain resulted in little difficulty with activities of daily living and maintaining relationships (61%–89%). Although none reported mental health disorders, 53.6% had experienced a traumatic event in their life, with 45.2% having related nightmares, anxiety, or fear. Most respondents (99%) would take oral medication if it helped their pain, with a large proportion willing to spend significant money for these (49% would pay >US$40) and willing to travel long distances to get help (55.2% would travel >40 kilometer). Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic pain in Maputo, Mozambique is similar to the average for LMICs. Trends in high-income countries suggest that multimodal pain management and multidisciplinary treatments may improve optimal pain control in LMICs.