Assessment of mental health status for people with spinal cord injury: a centre based study

Abstract

Purpose: To assess mental health of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in rehabilitation stage attending at CRP. Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of depression, to know about socio-demographic information of Spinal Cord injury patients. Objectives also were to know about any association in between mental health and socio-demographic information (Age, gender, types of injury, cause of injury, severity of injury, marital status). Methodology: The study design was cross-sectional. Total 105 samples were selected conveniently for this study from Centre for the rehabilitation of the paralyzed (CRP), Spinal cord injury unit, at Savar. Data was collected by using of questionnaire and mental health was assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The study was conducted by using quantitative descriptive analysis through using SPSS software 25.0 version. Results: Among 105 respondents, 89.5% % were male, 10.5% were female, 45.7% were aged between 16–30 years and 40% were aged between 31-45 years, 66.7% were married & 33.3% unmarried, 15.2% were illiterate & 46.7% were SSC passed, 61.9% were paraplegic & 34.1% were tetraplegic, 77.1% had complete-A in American Spinal Injury Association scale, and 41.9% had SCI for Fall from height. Among the participants, 21% minimal depression, 34.3% mild depression, 38.1% moderate depression, 5.7% had moderately severe depression and 1% had severe depression. Statistically significant association was found in between mental health & some sociodemographic information such as Age, gender, types of injury, severity of injury, marital status. Conclusions: In Bangladesh, large numbers of patients are underdiagnosed & untreated. To our knowledge, there is only a small amount of research specifically addressing depression signs and factors that affect depression in persons with SCI over time. Health planners and social services, need a thorough understanding of the psychological issues that people with SCI face, as well as the differences that develop as a result of cultural, physical, and environmental conditions including the resources available in each community. To adequately visualize the burden, further large-scale research is needed. Keywords: Patient Health Questionnaire 9(PHQ-9), SCI, Mental health