Challenges of Rehabilitation and Community Reintegration for People Living with Spinal Cord Injuries in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province-South Africa

Background and Purpose: People Living with Spinal Cord Injury PLWSCI are facing numerous barriers and limitations, especially in rural areas, where rehabilitation resources are limited. There is a dearth of rehabilitation centres in the Limpopo Province, which might impact negatively on the rehabilitation and community integration outcomes for PLWSCI in this region. Aim: To determine how PLWSCI are integrated with their communities in rural area of Limpopo. Objective of the Study: To describe the challenges facing PLWSCI in rural areas regarding rehabilitation and community integration. To identify the physical barriers of the rehabilitation for PLWSCI. Methodology: This study used a convergent parallel mixed method design. This Method consists of quantitative and qualitative data are collected, analysed, and mixed in a single study. Quantitative data were generated and collected regarding the rehabilitation and community integration challenges of PLWSCI using the Spinal Cord Injury Community Reintegration Measure (SCICRM) tool. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs). Results: Quantitative results show that 37% of the respondents were fully reintegrated. Moderate reintegration was above average (54.4%), while 5.7% were minimally integrated, and 3.9% failed to reintegrate into their communities. The rehabilitation teams? home visits were further rated as ?never happened? (51%) and ?rarely happened? (14.3%). Patients who received a home visit from their rehabilitation team were more likely to fully reintegrate into their community, in this case, 75%. Of those who did not receive any home visits, only 39% managed to fully reintegrate into their communities. The qualitative findings, which is based on information-rich interviews with participants, indicated an urgent need for the implementation of a rehabilitation programme to enhance a successful and better community reintegration for PLWSCI. The qualitative results also highlighted the importance of home visits and following up on the patients after they have returned to their communities. The qualitative findings were presented according to six themes that were also divided into several sub-themes. Conclusion: Rehabilitation is the bridge between the SCI and successful community integration. A comprehensive rehabilitation programme implemented by a multidisciplinary team should enhance the successful reintegration of PLWSCI.