Stakeholders’ perspectives on community reintegration after spinal cord injury in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) profoundly impacts individuals, hindering their return to previous roles. Community reintegration (CR) is crucial and requires holistic engagement. Stakeholders’ perspectives shape outcomes and are vital in regions like South Africa with limited rehabilitation infrastructure. Understanding their viewpoints is crucial.

Aim: To explore multiple stakeholders’ perspectives on factors influencing CR after TSCI in South Africa.

Setting: The research was conducted in the Cape Metropolitan Area, within South Africa’s Western Cape province, home to around 3.7 million residents.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted and audio-recorded. The recordings were transcribed verbatim, accuracy-checked, and uploaded to Atlas.ti.® 23 software for data coding and analysis. Thematic analysis was utilised.

Results: Six main themes and fifteen categories were identified within the international classification of functioning disability and health (ICF) framework’s contextual factors domain, highlighting the impact of environmental and personal factors on CR. Stakeholders emphasised the need for accessible environments, technology, support networks, attitudinal changes, improved services and personal resilience to facilitate CR.

Conclusion: Our findings emphasise the need for investments in accessibility, inclusivity, assistive technologies, awareness campaigns and policy reforms to support successful reintegration and foster resilient communities for individuals with TSCI.

Contribution: This study illuminates key factors influencing CR and underscores the importance of comprehensive interventions, contributing to the understanding of the multifaceted challenges of CR after TSCI in South Africa.