Perception of community reintegration among individuals with spinal cord injury in northwest Nigeria: a qualitative description

Bashir Kaka; Surajo Kamilu Sulaiman; Ashiru Hamza Mohammad; Bashir Bello; Muhammad Aliyu Abba; Umar Muhammad Bello; Dauda Salihu; Muhammad Chutiyami; Hussaini Zandam; Francis Fatoye

doi:10.1080/09638288.2024.2402073

Perception of community reintegration among individuals with spinal cord injury in northwest Nigeria: a qualitative description

Disabil Rehabil. 2024 Sep 13:1-11. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2402073. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria.
² Division of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
³ Physiotherapy Department, Tishk International University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
⁴ Godiya Disability Inclusion and Development Initiative, Dutse, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Physiotherapy and Paramedicine, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
⁶ College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Brandeis University, USA.
⁹ Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.

PMID: 39268851
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2402073

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the meaning of community reintegration and strategies for promoting community reintegration based on the lived experiences of individuals with spinal cord injury in northwest Nigeria.

Material and methods: Using a qualitative description, we purposively recruited people with spinal cord injury residing in Kano, Nigeria. Eight focus groups were conducted to gather relevant information about the meaning and strategies for community reintegration, based on the lived experiences of the participants.

Results: A total of 64 people aged 18-60 years completed the study. Most of the participants had lived with spinal cord injury for more than five years. The individuals perceived community reintegration as a multi-dimensional concept reflected by five major themes namely: living life as usual, gainful engagement, a basket of opportunities, courage and support, and acceptance of destiny. Furthermore, the participants considered education and awareness about spinal cord injury, supportive and enabling environment, equal opportunities, care and moral support, and accessible health and rehabilitation services as critical for promoting community reintegration.

Conclusion: Community reintegration is a multidimensional process, and its promotion in northwest Nigeria requires a multisectoral approach.

Keywords: Spinal cord injury; accessibility; community rehabilitation; equal opportunities; social inclusion.

Plain language summary

People with spinal cord injury experience challenges when returning to their host communities following hospital-based rehabilitation, especially in low and middle-income countries.Promotion of community reintegration among people with spinal cord injury in low and middle-income settings requires intervention at the level of the individual, community, and the government.Accessibility to the physical environment and equal employment opportunities are paramount to successful community reintegration in low and middle-income countries.Future studies should consider assessing the coping strategies of individuals with spinal cord injury and their families in low and middle-income countries.