A qualitative study of lived experiences and perceived community reintegration of people with spinal cord injury after discharge from two healthcare centres in Blantyre, Malawi by Aaron Mwafulirwa
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Type of study
This is a qualitative descriptive study with a phenomenological approach.
Problem statement
Spinal cord injury is known to negatively affect people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) leading
to difficulties with mobility, reduced social participation and psychological problems. There is a
dearth of African literature investigating community reintegration and lived experiences of PWSCI
after hospital discharge, particularly in Malawi. Few studies in Malawi focused on the
epidemiological trends of spinal cord injury (SCI), and one of them explored community
reintegration of people with disability. However, this study did not explore the specific insights
from the spinal cord injury population on their lived experiences and perceived community
reintegration after discharge from a healthcare centre. There is, therefore, a need to explore these
insights on the lived experiences and community reintegration for this population.
Objectives
Broad objective
To explore the lived experiences and perceived community reintegration of PWSCI with at least
one month after discharge from two healthcare centres in Blantyre, Malawi.
Specific objectives
1. To explore the challenges facing the PWSCI at least a month after discharge
2. To inquire about the coping strategies employed by this population to these challenges
during community reintegration
3. To seek their suggestions on ways to further improve their community reintegration.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive study with a phenomenological approach will be used to explore the lived
experiences and perceived community reintegration at least a month after being discharged from
Kachere Rehabilitation Centre (KRC) and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH). Semi-16-Sep-2022
Exploring the life experiences and perceived community.... Version 2.0 30th August 2022
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structured in-depth interviews will be used to collect data from consenting participants guided by
an interview schedule informed by literature and pilot-tested-a-priori. The sample size of the study
will be determined by data saturation. However, literature supports between 15 and 25 participants
for optimal data and “meaning” saturation.
Data analysis will be done using thematic analysis in which themes will arise from similar codes.
Privacy and confidentiality data will be maintained during the whole process of data management
by ensuring that all names and identifiers are replaced by codes to keep it anonymous.
Expected findings
The lived experiences, challenges facing the PWSCI and their coping strategies during community
reintegration are the expected results for this study. The study will further find suggestions from
the participants on how to improve their community reintegration.
Dissemination
The results of the study will be presented and submitted to the School of Therapeutic Sciences at
the University of the Witwatersrand as a requirement for successful completion of Master of
Science in Physiotherapy. The researcher will also share a copy of the report to College of
Medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC), and will make presentations to QECH, KRC
as well as the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
(KUHES). Furthermore, a manuscript of this project will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal
for publication to reach international audience.
Description
Keywords
A qualitative study of lived experiences and perceived community reintegration of people with spinal cord injury after discharge from two healthcare centres in Blantyre, Malawi by Aaron Mwafulirwa