Evaluating Social Participation among the People with Spinal Cord Injury of Dhaka District in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: People with spinal cord injuries (SCI) have faced many challenges in their community life after completing their rehabilitation. Some of them can engage in their social events in a modifying way, but many of them can not engage in their social events properly. It also restricts their ability and quality of life. This study identified the level of participation among people with SCI in the community of Dhaka district. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the social participation among people living with spinal cord injury. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted through cross-sectional design in the quantitative study among 70 participants whose age was 18-70 years who completed the rehabilitation program. By using a purposive sampling technique participants were selected for the study based on the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a structured socio-demographic profile sheet and the Participation Scale (P-scale). Data were collected by face-to-face interviews and also used the “Participation scale”. Results: The findings reveal that 29% of respondents reported no significant restriction in participation, 44% experienced mild restriction, 19% had moderate restriction, 7% had severe restriction, and 1% faced extreme restriction. A substantial proportion of participants (80%) reported secondary complications, including pain (24%), pressure sores (19%) and urinary tract infections (20%). Adequate financial resources and social support were identified as key facilitators of participation, while physical environment, unsupportive social attitudes, and mental health issues were significant barriers. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for specific interventions and supports to enhance social participation for individuals with SCI. Recommendations include improving accessibility, increasing resources and training for healthcare professionals, implementing public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and fostering collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations to create a more inclusive environment that supports participation and enhances the quality of life for people with SCI.