In order to investigate low back pain in an Indian and a Coloured community in South Africa, a population-based epidemiological survey was carried out in which 1 000 subjects were interviewed (500 Indians and 500 Coloureds). Subjects were selected using the Systematic Random Sampling method. A pre-tested questionnaire, designed by the researcher, was used to elicit information about the subjects' demography, general characteristics and details regarding low back pain (incidence, prevalence, severity, disability, treatment). Only subjects 18 years or older who were permanent residents of the 2 suburbs were included in the study. The author carried out the interviews personally
