The level of integration of stroke survivors receiving rehabilitation services in Soshanguve clinics, South Africa

Abstract

The importance of assessing community integration as an outcome of rehabilitation for postdischarge stroke survivors cannot be over-emphasized. Community integration assessment that is contextually relevant was undertaken on stroke survivors who were mainly black Africas and coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The aim of this study was to determine the level of integration of stroke survivors at Soshanguve community clinics. A quantitative approach was undertaken using the retrospective descriptive survey to conduct this study. Non-probability purposive sampling of 114 participants above 20 years of age was done. The mean age of participants was 59.13 ± 13years, who were comprisied of 64 (56.1%) males and 29 (43.0%) survivors being single. The level of independence of stroke survivors was low except for two domains: activities of daily living (ADL) & social care and the social interaction, which were 37 (32.5%) and 49 (43.0%) respectively. Major help was required in the three domains: social integration & relationship, home/family responsibility & appearance and work & education. The strength of association was generally weak for all domains, with only one domain that was not statistically significant: work and education. Age and gender were statistically significant when associated with the ADL & self-care domain (p < 0.05). Stroke survivors needed help with: extended family responsibility, work and education, social integration and relationship, home/family responsibility, activities of daily living & self-care; and social interaction. The results indicated that 56 (49.1%) of stroke survivors were not integrated into the community, only 9 (7.9%) and 10 (8.8%) were fully and moderately integrated, respectively.

Keywords: Community integration, stroke survivors, rehabilitation