Résumé
Background and objective: Knowledge for getting self-care activity is the one important issue in the quality of life for a paraplegic person to live independently. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of persons with complete paraplegia regarding how to do self-care activity during daily living
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 58 cases with complete paraplegia out of 202 cases with spinal injuries that were admitted to the Emergency Management Centre in Hawler from 2008 to 2014. Information data on paraplegic persons was collected from August 15[th] to October 15[th], 2014 through the interview by using a questionnaire
Results: The majority of persons with paraplegia were young [32.8%], male [84.5%], married [58.6%], secondary school graduates [35.3%], unemployed [72.4%], having income exceeding the needs [50%] and live in the urban area [77.6%]. Most of them had thoracic injury at level 9 to 12 [70.7%]. The most common cause of injury was fall from high [41.4%] and the majority of readmissions were for bedsores [87%]. The knowledge of paraplegic persons of self-care activity was at a high level [87.9%]. Those living in urban areas had a significantly higher knowledge than those living in rural areas [93.3% vs 69.2%, P = 0.019]
Conclusion: Persons with paraplegia had good knowledge for self-care activity, but still need continuous knowledge and practical training. Urban areas need more help and knowledge