Abstract
Due to the disproportionate prevalence of Lower Back Pain (LBP) amongst the socially excluded a Health Action Zone (HAZ) funded population based research project was implemented to evaluate LBP, using EMG spectral analysis, physical fitness and health status amongst this cohort. A large representative sample (n = 300) was required, however the study has been confounded in obtaining its’ prospective sample due to recruitment problems.
Initial recruitment techniques utilised health promotion roadshows held in prominent public locations throughout Teesside and a large-scale media campaign. The ‘roadshows’ promote a positive message relating to LBP and the importance of exercise. Each person receives the opportunity to obtain unique individual information relating to back muscle function from EMG testing as a motivator to participate. Secondary recruitment took the form of purposive sampling amongst selected professional groups (teachers, police, prison officers), testing taking place in the workplace but employing the same research “message”.
The project had been unsuccessful in i) recruiting the general public within the public domain and ii) specifically recruiting the socially excluded. Population based research, especially that which intends to target difficult to access populations may encounter difficulties in recruitment. Why? Distrust and suspicion towards positions of “authority”, low perceived importance of research to this cohort, simple apathy? These reasons are anecdotal and we would be very interested in any ideas and welcome any input on this frustrating issue.
The abstracts were prepared by Dr C Pither. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
