Clinical and socio-demographic determinants of community reintegration in people with spinal cord injury in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province
Open Access
- 27 May 2022
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AOSIS in South African Journal of Physiotherapy
- Vol. 78 (1), 7
- https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v78i1.1631
Abstract
Background: Community reintegration is a major outcome of rehabilitation after the acute phase in people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI). Objective: To investigated clinical and socio-demographic factors determining community participation in PWSCI, living in the greater eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province. Method: Our quantitative, cross-sectional study had a convenient sample of 41 PWSCI. A trained interviewer obtained socio-demographic information using a structured questionnaire. Participants completed the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). Descriptive statistics were used in summarising the data; inferential statistics, -a t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed the association of clinical and socio-demographic factors with the extent of community reintegration. A multiple linear regression investigated the determinants of community reintegration with the alpha level set at p = 0.05. Results: Mean age of the participants was 41 years (s.d.: 10, range 25–66), with the majority (n = 32, 78%) being male. The mean RNLI score was 68% (s.d.: 22, range 24–100). Participants scored higher on the RNLI if they were male (mean difference [MD] 18%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2–34), were employed (MD 16%, 95% CI: 0–32), had a salary (MD 19%, 95% CI: 5–32) and had no muscle spasms (MD 14%, 95% CI: 1–27. Muscle spasms (p = 0.012, 95% CI: 3.85–29.05) and being female PWSCI (p = 0.010, 95% CI: −35.75 to −5.18) were significant negative predictors of community reintegration. Conclusion: Community reintegration may be influenced by socio-economic factors. Special interventions for muscle spasms and support for women living with spinal cord injuries may enhance community reintegration. Clinical implication: Therapists need to focus on community reintegration with female PWSCI and on returning to PWSCI to work as this was improved community reintegration.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Barriers to and facilitators of rehabilitation services for people with physical disabilities: A systematic reviewAfrican Journal of Disability, 2013
- Correlates and determinants of physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury: A review using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as reference frameworkDisability and Health Journal, 2012
- Labour market outcomes for people with a spinal cord injuryEconomics & Human Biology, 2010
- Functioning and disability in spinal cord injury from the consumer perspective: an international qualitative study using focus groups and the ICFSpinal Cord, 2010
- ICF Core Sets for individuals with spinal cord injury in the long-term contextSpinal Cord, 2010
- Accessing Peers’ and Health Care Experts’ Wisdom: A Telephone Peer Support Program for Women with SCI Living in Rural and Remote AreasTopics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 2009
- The relationship between education and employment: A theoretical analysis and empirical testFrontiers of Economics in China, 2007
- Spinal Cord Injury Medicine. 4. Community Reintegration After Spinal Cord InjuryArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2007
- Gender Differences in Community Integration After Spinal Cord InjuryTopics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 2004
- Reliability of scores between stroke patients and significant others on the Reintegration to Normal Living (RNL) IndexDisability and Rehabilitation, 2003