Prevalence of psychological symptoms amongst spinal cord injury survivors in selected counties in Kenya

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychological symptoms amongst spinal cord injury survivors, in Nairobi, Nakuru and Machakos Counties in Kenya.

Design: A cross-sectional study

Setting: Community

Main outcome measure: Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) version 21 was used to measure the dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS). Subjects: 186 rehabilitated spinal cord injury survivors (SCI).

Methods: The data regarding socio-demographic characteristics were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. The data were then analysed using SPSS version 25 for the descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: A prevalence rate of 69.35% (n=129) of psychological symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress) was recorded. Majority were male, young and lowly educated. Correlation analysis indicated that males 46.77% (n=87; p-value=0.117) had a higher prevalence of psychological symptoms after SCI rehabilitation compared to women 22.58 % (n=42; p-value=0.148). Regression analysis revealed that there was moderate and statistically significance (r=0.531, p-value=.000) relationship between age and depression, similarly between anxiety (r=0.611, p-value=.000) and stress (r=0.602, p-value=.000). Socio-demographic characteristics play significant influence on psychological symptom status for the participants with 94.7% variation (R²=.947).

Conclusion: Psychological symptoms were common amongst the participants and poor young male adults with low education. This study highlights the need for psychological care during and after rehabilitation.