Mashola MK1, Mothabeng DJ1
1University of Pretoria, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa
Background: The development of secondary health conditions (SHCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and can affect the individual's emotional well-being, social activity and community participation and health related quality of life. There is vast literature available on SHCs and the associated non-modifiable risk factors (and their influence on QOL), as well as readmissions back to hospital due to SHCs. However, there is little known about relationships between performing health benefiting behaviours, the presence (and absence) of SHC and quality of life.
Purpose: There is a dearth of South African literature on the modifiable factors related to the development of SHCs in people with SCI (PWSCI), which highlighted the need for this study. This research study was conducted in order to determine the associations between health behaviour, SHCs and QOL in PWSCI.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included 36 PWSCI discharged from a rehabilitation facility in a private hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The PWSCI completed the Spinal Cord Injury Lifestyle Scale (SCILS), the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale (SCI-SCS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Social Support List (SSL-12) questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation tests were used to analyse associations between overall health behavior, SHCs and QOL scores. The chi-square test of independence (x2) was used to determine the significant associations between specific health behaviours, SHCs and QOL. The SPSS v25 was used to analyse the data. Moderate, moderately high and high correlations are reported (Pearson r ≥ 0.4) and results were significant if p 0.05.
Results: Participation in health benefiting behaviour was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.457, p 0.01) and increased social support from family and friends (r = 0.425, p 0.01). Increased social support was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.671, p 0.001). Not participating in specific neuro-musculoskeletal health behaviours was found to be associated with the overall presence of SHCs (r = - 0.426, p 0.01). The presence of neuropathic pain, which was the most common SHC in this study (67%), showed associations with health dissatisfaction [x2 (12) = 23.86, p 0.05]. Burns was the least common SHC (3%) and showed associations with always performing good preventative health behaviours [x2 (1) = 36.00, p 0.001].
Conclusion(s): Engagement in health benefiting behaviours was found to be associated with SHC, QOL and social support. Participating in health benefiting behaviour (with the help of a good social support system) can reduce the development of SHCs and subsequently increase QOL in PWSCI. Further research is required determine the factors that influence health behaviour in order to develop strategies to increase health benefiting behaviours.
Implications: Health professionalsmust maintain focus on minimizing the development of SHCs by providing specific education on good health behaviour, as well as introducing social education to improve support from friends and family.
Keywords: Secondary health conditions, Health behaviour, Quality of life
Funding acknowledgements: This study did not receive any funding.
Purpose: There is a dearth of South African literature on the modifiable factors related to the development of SHCs in people with SCI (PWSCI), which highlighted the need for this study. This research study was conducted in order to determine the associations between health behaviour, SHCs and QOL in PWSCI.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included 36 PWSCI discharged from a rehabilitation facility in a private hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The PWSCI completed the Spinal Cord Injury Lifestyle Scale (SCILS), the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale (SCI-SCS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Social Support List (SSL-12) questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation tests were used to analyse associations between overall health behavior, SHCs and QOL scores. The chi-square test of independence (x2) was used to determine the significant associations between specific health behaviours, SHCs and QOL. The SPSS v25 was used to analyse the data. Moderate, moderately high and high correlations are reported (Pearson r ≥ 0.4) and results were significant if p 0.05.
Results: Participation in health benefiting behaviour was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.457, p 0.01) and increased social support from family and friends (r = 0.425, p 0.01). Increased social support was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.671, p 0.001). Not participating in specific neuro-musculoskeletal health behaviours was found to be associated with the overall presence of SHCs (r = - 0.426, p 0.01). The presence of neuropathic pain, which was the most common SHC in this study (67%), showed associations with health dissatisfaction [x2 (12) = 23.86, p 0.05]. Burns was the least common SHC (3%) and showed associations with always performing good preventative health behaviours [x2 (1) = 36.00, p 0.001].
Conclusion(s): Engagement in health benefiting behaviours was found to be associated with SHC, QOL and social support. Participating in health benefiting behaviour (with the help of a good social support system) can reduce the development of SHCs and subsequently increase QOL in PWSCI. Further research is required determine the factors that influence health behaviour in order to develop strategies to increase health benefiting behaviours.
Implications: Health professionalsmust maintain focus on minimizing the development of SHCs by providing specific education on good health behaviour, as well as introducing social education to improve support from friends and family.
Keywords: Secondary health conditions, Health behaviour, Quality of life
Funding acknowledgements: This study did not receive any funding.
Topic: Neurology: spinal cord injury; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Pretoria
Ethics committee: Faculty of Health Sciences Research Committee
Ethics number: 21/2014
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
