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. 2019 Jun 11:8:463.
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v8i0.463. eCollection 2019.

Associations between health behaviour, secondary health conditions and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury

Mokgadi K Mashola  1 , Diphale J Mothabeng  1
Affiliations

Associations between health behaviour, secondary health conditions and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury

Mokgadi K Mashola et al. Afr J Disabil. .

Abstract

Background: The development of secondary health conditions (SHCs) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common and can affect an individual's emotional well-being, and his or her health-related quality of life (QOL). Little is known about relationships between performing health-benefiting behaviours and the presence (or absence) of SHCs and QOL, particularly in South Africa.

Objectives: This research study was conducted in order to determine the associations between health behaviour, SHCs and QOL in people with SCI (PWSCI).

Method: This cross-sectional study included 36 PWSCI discharged from a private rehabilitation facility in Pretoria, South Africa. The PWSCI completed questionnaires pertaining to lifestyle, independence, presence of SHCs, social support and QOL. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation tests and chi-square test of independence (x2 ) using the SPSS v25. Moderate, moderately high and high correlations are reported (Pearson r ≥ 0.4). 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), which was associated with increased QOL (r = 0.671, p < 0.001). Not participating in specific neuromusculoskeletal health behaviours was found to be associated with the overall presence of SHCs (r = -0.426, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Participating in health-benefiting behaviour can reduce the development of SHCs and subsequently increase QOL in PWSCI. Health professionals must focus on minimising the development of SHCs by providing specific education on good health-benefiting behaviour.

Keywords: health behaviour; physical activity; quality of life; secondary health conditions; social relationships; social support; spinal cord injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Achieved versus expected Spinal Cord Independence Measure Scale III scores of people with spinal cord injury.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Participation in leisure-time physical activity by people with spinal cord injury using the leisure-time physical activity questionnaire for people with spinal cord injury.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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