An epidemiological study in spinal cord lesions in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: To find out the cause and characteristics of spinal cord lesions and thus to allow prevention and control programs to be developed. Objectives: The aims of this study were to find out the socio-demography information, traumatic and nontraumatic causes of spinal cord and possible preventive measure for the SCI patients. Methodology: The study design was cross sectional. The sample size was 394 and data were collected from the hospital record of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) in Bangladesh which is the largest spinal cord injury rehabilitation centre in South Asia. Data was collected by a standard questionnaire and it was analyzed by SPSS software version 16.0. Results: Among 394 spinal cord lesion patients, most of the patients were young. The mean age of the participants was 34.4 (±14.7) year. Male and female ration was 8:1. . About 97 % (n=386) was traumatic while rest of the participants 3% (n=8) was non – traumatic spinal cord lesion. Around 51% (n=196) of the participants causes were fall from height and road traffic accident was the second most common cause of injury about 27% (n=103) . Time gap between date of injury and date of admission was from first day to 6 years. The mean of hospital stay was 138 (±71.7) days which indicate that for doing successful rehabilitation in a specialized rehabilitation centre it takes 5 months to hospital stay. The maximum days are 542 which indicate upto 1 year and 6 months. Most of the participants did not have pressure ulcer during their admission at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) that was about 69% (n=273) which rest of the participants had pressure ulcer that is 31% (n=123). Conclusion: From the study it can be concluded that most of the participants were young age group at their productive life. So they cannot take part to the livelihood of their family rather than they become burden of the society. The study may help to provide awareness among the people of Bangladesh. And also express the vulnerable cause, occupation which is responsible for the spinal cord injury. So SCI can be reduced through taking preventative measure.