Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Physiotherapy, Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka-1343, Bangladesh

2 Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL-35233, USA

3 Department of Physiotherapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), Savar, Dhaka-1343, Bangladesh

4 Department of Basic Science and Literature, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), Savar, Dhaka-1343, Bangladesh

5 Department of Physiotherapy, Dhaka College of Physiotherapy, Adabor, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

10.30476/jrsr.2024.104534.1528

Abstract

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have to face many challenges in community settings after completing rehabilitation. The study aimed to explore the level of life satisfaction and socioeconomic situation among people with SCI in the community setting.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey through phone calls was conducted with the community-dwelling SCI population who had completed their rehabilitation from a specialized rehabilitation center in Bangladesh. The survey covered all eight divisional areas of Bangladesh with 150 SCI participants. LISAT-11 and WHODAS 2.0 were used to explore life satisfaction and socioeconomic situation respectively. Multivariate linear regression and Spearman’s correlation were used to find association and relationship between the variables.
Results: Among the participants, the traumatic SCI was highest at 84% and males were 90%, where, 64.7% were found as paraplegic and 74% were from rural areas. While considering the socio-economic status, the majority of the participants (46.7%) had a considerable amount of monthly income. While participating in society, the highest proportion of SCI participants faced a moderate type of disability (43.68%) and a significant proportion of SCI participants were found to be satisfied with their life as a whole (30.67%). Individuals with higher disability scores tend to have lower life satisfaction (rp= -0.852, p=.001). Monthly income and injury severity were found to be associated with life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Participants with SCI who returned to the community faced economic challenges, difficulties in community participation, and a significant decline in life satisfaction.
 

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