Epidemiology of spinal cord injuries in three selected counties in Kenya

South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2097 · Published: January 31, 2025

Spinal Cord Injury Public Health

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant health challenge, characterized by damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma, inflammation, tumors or other aetiologies. This injury often leads to a range of debilitating consequences, including loss of motor function, sensation, sphincter control and autonomic nerve function below the site of injury, as well as challenges with self-care and performance of instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs). The study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and characteristics of SCI among adult patients in three selected counties in Kenya.

Study Duration

4 years (2016–2020)

Participants

213 adult patients with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The findings reveal a predominant prevalence in male patients, accounting for 84.04% of occurrences, with the highest incidence observed among individuals aged 26–35 years (36.15%).
2
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause, accounting for 45.07% of cases, followed by falls from height accounting for 42.25% of cases and violence, specifically gunshot injuries, which account for 7.04% of incidents.
3
The most common type of SCI observed in both male patients and female patients was cervical lesions, accounting for 46.01% of cases.

Research Summary

This study provides a comprehensive epidemiology of SCI in three counties in Kenya with male patients recording high prevalence in motor vehicle accidents and falls from height as well as in severity and associated SCI complications. The most prevalent cause was motor traffic accidents, accounting for 45.07% of the cases. The second most common cause was falls from height, comprising 42.25% of the cases. The most common type of SCI observed in both male patients and female patients was cervical lesions, accounting for 46.01% of cases.

Practical Implications

Safety Awareness

Provides significant information on safety awareness related to SCI causes.

Rehabilitation Programs

Informs the development of targeted rehabilitation programs for SCI patients in Kenya.

Preventive Measures

Highlights the need for targeted preventive measures and awareness campaigns, particularly for motor vehicle accidents and falls from height.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of digital data in some hospitals (Mombasa and Machakos counties) led to inadequate patient data.
2
Exclusion of individuals with SCI who also had secondary conditions to maintain a focused and homogeneous study population.
3
The study design is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study design.

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