Positional Damage -- Bows protect your back?

Many articles agree that shields do not protect your behind (and just how much of your sides is covered is still debated)

Q 1. Do +armor from scrolls/staffs/bows/hammers/axes/wands etc work in the same way?

Q 2. Any tested results of how much of your sides are covered?

Thanks alot in advance guys... I've read widely on this and can't find the elusive answer (for Q2)