Social Isolation and Physical Barriers in the Houses of Stroke Survivors in Rural China

Publication date: Available online 30 July 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Lifang Zhang, Tiebin Yan, Liming You, Kun li, Yan Gao
ObjectiveTo describe the home barriers and social isolation of stroke survivors in the rural areas of China and to explore which home barriers are associated with social isolation.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingStructured interviews and observation in the participants' homes.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling stroke survivors in the rural areas of China (N=818).InterventionsNot applicableMain outcome measuresPhysical barriers in rural homes were surveyed using a Home Fall Hazards Assessment. Social isolation was identified if two or more of the following indicators were observed: low frequency of getting out of the home, lacking leisure activities, and living alone in the previous three months.ResultsThe prevalence rates of 18 among 30 home barriers exceeded 20%, and the highest was 93% (lack of hand rails in the bathroom). The prevalence of social isolation was 30%.Three home barriers were independently related to social isolation. They were a distant toilet(OR=2.363; 95%CI: 1.527–3.658; p＜0.001), unsuitable seating(OR=1.571; 95%CI: 1.026–2.404; p=0.038), and inaccessible light switches(OR=1.572; 95%CI: 1.064–2.324; p=0.023).ConclusionsMany barriers exist in the houses of stroke survivors in rural China. Some of them are related to social isolation. Eliminating or decreasing home barriers could be a feasible and effective approach to reducing social isolation.



from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2apwd0H
via IFTTT