Quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy and social participation of persons living with mobility-related disability using mobility aids devices within select Nigerian communities.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Disability has gained further global attention as a result of the integration of persons with disabilities into the societies. However, the association among quality of life (QoL), self-esteem (SE), self-efficacy (SEf) and social participation (SP) is inconclusive. This study was aimed to investigate the correlation among QoL, SE, SEf and SP in people living with mobility-related disability using mobility aid devices (MADs) in some selected communities of Enugu State. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey involved 200 consenting participants (mean age = 37.47 ± 13.00 years) purposively recruited from four different sampled communities who have community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services. Quality of life (QoL), SE, SEf and SP of participants were explored using 36-item Short Form Survey, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale and Participation Scale respectively. Data obtained was summarised using frequency counts, mean, standard deviation and analysed using spearman's Rank Order Correlation, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The mean QoL, SEf, SE, and SP of the participants are 55.06 ± 10.67, 25.00 ± 5.57, 16.36 ± 4.33 and 35.60 ± 13.50 respectively, which imply moderate QoL and SEf, high SE and severe restricted participation. QoL, SEf, SE, and SP significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.05). There was no significant influence of gender and occupational status of the participants on their QoL, SE, SEf and SP (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Persons living with mobility-related disabilities have moderate QoL and SEf, high self-esteem and severe restriction in SP. QoL, SEf, SE, and SP correlated with one another. The possibility of improving other constructs by targeting one can be explored in disability rehabilitation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe increasing prevalence of disability presented the need to study four constructs of well-being (Quality of Life, Self-esteem, Self-efficacy and Social participation).The perception of one's status and position in life can be negatively impacted upon by a mobility-related disability.Social participation may improve satisfaction and quality of life, which in turn could lead to better self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Factors affecting the use of mobility aids devices among young adults with mobility disability in a selected Nigerian population.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the interaction of people living with mobility disability (PLWMDs), mobility aid devices (MADs), and their environment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This was a cross-sectional institution-based survey with 51 participants (33 males and 18 females) aged between 18 and 50 years old. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling method with snowballing. Data were collected using modified socio-cognitive and psychological impacts of the device self-administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency count, mean, percentages and standard deviation and Pearson's chi-square. Alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed diagnosis around the lower limb leading to disabilities implicated the use of MADs. The results showed the psychological factors and combined effect of psychological, socio-cultural and environmental factors were found to be significantly associated with the use of MADs at a significant level of p = .011 and .011, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggest a negative effect associated with lack of proper use of MADs as well as the importance of MADs for promoting participation, inclusion, and productivity of PLWDs. However, the effectiveness of a specific type of MADs should be assessed in future studies.Implications for rehabilitationMobility aids devices are designed to help people achieve independence, reduce pain, increase confidence and self-esteem.Individuals with mobility disability are often encouraged to make use of the mobility aids devices.The type of mobility aid device required for each individual will depend on the mobility disability or injury.

Determining safe teaching board heights through electromyographic analysis of the shoulder muscles.

BACKGROUND: Adjustable teaching boards have been recommended as an ergonomic practice geared at reducing the incidences of teaching-related shoulder musculoskeletal disorders among teachers. However, there are no standards guiding choice of appropriate teaching board heights. This study was aimed at evaluating shoulder muscle activities in response to five teaching board heights. METHODS: Thirty participants performed writing activities on five different board heights (Diff10 = standing height minus 10% of standing height; NormH = participant's standing height; Sum10 = standing height plus 10% of standing height; Sum20 = standing height plus 20% of standing height; Sum25 = standing height plus 25% of standing height). Electromyographic analysis of the anterior deltoid (AD), upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA) and pectoralis major (PM) muscles were performed simultaneously during each task. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and independent T-test at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Sum20 board height significantly (p < 0.001) elicited the highest activities in the AD (19.35 ± 11.26%) and UT (29.06 ± 29.53%) muscles while SA (20.37 ± 10.87%) and PM (20.86 ± 12.17%) muscles were most active at Sum25 board height. SA and PM muscles progressively increased with increasing board heights while AD and UT muscles showed alternating patterns of activation at increasing board heights. For safe ergonomic practices, recommended teaching board heights should be within the range of NormH and Sum10. CONCLUSION: Extremely high or low teaching boards have tendencies of inducing musculoskeletal shoulder discomforts.

Electromyographic activity of the neck muscles: Effects of varying standing height-derived teaching board heights.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing emergence of modern facilities, the ancient practice of writing on a teaching board is still common in the teaching profession. Ergonomic guidelines of this practice are required for the prevention of work-related neck musculoskeletal disorders inherent of teachers. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of varying teaching board heights on the activities of the neck muscles. METHODS: Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females) participated in this experimental study. Each performed writing tasks on a teaching board set at five different heights derived from their standing height (SH) [(D 10 = SH minus 10% of SH; Norm H = SH; Sum 10 = SH plus 10% of SH; Sum 20 = SH plus 20% of SH; Sum 25 = SH plus 25% of SH)]. Electromyographic (EMG) activities of both components of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles were measured during each task. Asymmetry ratio of right and left muscle components were determined. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: EMG activities of the four muscles as well as their asymmetry ratios significantly (p< 0.01) increased with increasing board heights. CONCLUSION: Teaching board-related tasks have increased possibilities of inducing neck disorders when performed beyond Norm H vertical heights.