Secondary health conditions and their impact on the wellbeing of people with spinal cord injury, South Africa: Patients perspective.

Abstract

Background Long-term rehabilitation that includes preventive care for people with spinal cord injury is key to promoting health. There is evidence that secondary health conditions (SHCs) are prevalent complications across the continuum of care for people with spinal cord injury, leading to recurrent hospitalization and poor quality of life. In order to develop a context-based prevention model of care and strategies in South Africa, there is a need to understand the lived experiences of people with spinal cord injury (SCI).Aim To describe people with spinal cord injury’s experiences of secondary health conditions and the impact these have on their wellbeing.Methods A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 17 participants with SCI who attend outpatient medical care at a tertiary rehabilitation hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Primary data were collected from August 2018-July 2019. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis approach.Results People with spinal cord injury experience a range of secondary health conditions, of which pain, bowel and bladder issues were the most common. The presence of SHCs had an impact on the psychological, physical and social wellbeing of the participants.Conclusion There is a need for prevention interventions (health education and screening) for SHCs throughout the continuum of care and at all levels of prevention. Further research on factors influencing the prevention and management of SHCs is needed.