OP0103 EFFECTS ON A FRENCH MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON BACK PAIN BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS
Authors: Martin Badard, Marie Hélène Certain, François Rannou, Patricia Ribinik, Xavier Dufour, Florian Bailly, Bruno Fautrel, Violaine Foltz
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Low back pain (LBP) in general and chronic LBP specifically is frequent with high impact on both individuals and Society. In 2017, the French national public health insurance (CNAMTS, Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie des Travailleurs Salariés) has decided to launch a countrywide mass media campaign to improve general population (POP) and general practitioners (GPs) beliefs and behaviors about LBP and tend to reduce its impact on health resource use and including sick leaves. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the impact on population and physician beliefs and behaviors of the nationwide population-based campaign on LBP. <h3>Methods</h3> A campaign was conducted by the CNAMTS with the help of health experts (rheumatologists, rehabilitation specialists, algologists, GP and physiotherapists). It ran between November 2017 and November 2018, using multi media: booklets for POP and GPs available on CNAMTS website, TV and radio spots, large size wall posters hanged in public areas, videos on social networks, publicity articles and a smartphone application. The campaign main messages were: “LBP is not a severe disease” and “rest doesn’t help to heal” with a tagline: “Low back pain? The right treatment is the movement”. The impact of the campaign was assessed by internet surveys conducted by a private polling company (BVA, Brulé, Ville et Associés), in random samples of the two populations (POP and GP). The respondents were selected according to the quota method, which enabled adequate representativeness based on sex, age, region of living and socio-economic status. The pre-test survey was performed on June 2017 and the post-test in May 2018, 6 months after beginning of the campaign. The questions explored different domains: 1) memorization, understanding and perception of the campaign, 2) knowledge and beliefs about LBP, and 3) repercussions on behaviors. Statistical significance at 5% was assessed with student test for means and sd, and chI2 test for categorical variables. <h3>Results</h3> Among the 2000 POP, 92% have already experienced LBP with mean pain intensity of 5.7/10 on VAS. Among the 400 GPs, 74% reported to be consulted for LBP almost every day. 35% of the POP and 74% of GPs saw, read or listened to the campaign. Overall, it was well perceived with an average rating of 7.0 and 7.3/10, respectively. POP and GP beliefs and behaviors about LBP are summarized in the table 1. There were statistically significant improvements in beliefs and behaviors related to activity in both populations. GPs are more confidence in preventing chronicization of back pain and declare to prescribe less sick leave superior to 5 days. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The French media campaign appears to have significant impact on public and physicians beliefs, mainly related to the message of staying active. An additional campaign focused on employers and occupational therapists is currently conducted. Other outcomes, of which health resource use and sick leave, will be assessed at the end of the program. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Martin Badard: None declared, Marie Hélène Certain: None declared, François Rannou: None declared, Patricia Ribinik: None declared, Xavier Dufour: None declared, Florian Bailly: None declared, Bruno Fautrel Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Consultant for: AbbVie, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Medac, MSD, NORDIC Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Sanofi Genzyme, SOBI, UCB, Violaine Foltz: None declared