Exploring Indian women's perception and care seeking behavior towards lumbopelvic pain: A qualitative study

Globally, musculoskeletal lumbopelvic pain (LPP) predominates among women. This high predominance of LPP is attributed to the complex interaction of biomechanical, psychological, and social factors among women. The deleterious effect of LPP has increased the likelihood of "LPP-care seeking" among women. The need for care seeking is influenced by a person's perception, beliefs, and attitude toward pain; which in turn, is framed by his/her culture and community. Thus, this qualitative research aimed to seek insights into "LPP-care seeking" behaviors among women from Indian cultural background. Semi-structured interviews were administered among 18 women living in urban as well as semi-urban areas of North India. Analysis of interview scripts lead to generation of three themes: LPP-care seeking behavior, non-adherence to LPP rehabilitation and barriers to LPP rehabilitation. LPP-care seeking behavior was influenced by unawareness about physiotherapy (PT), self-help practices and beliefs about LPP. We also found that lack or incomplete knowledge incite false assumptions, resulted in non-adherence in LPP rehabilitation. In addition, unsupportive family, lack of time, and difficulty in memorizing LPP exercises were the cultural, work, and old age-related barriers to LPP-care seeking, respectively.