SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted Community participation of adults with spinal cord injuries in Saudi ArabiaHIND SULIMAN ALHAMAD; , Mrs. Sue DelportObjective: Wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) face challenges in participating in their community. Therefore, this study explored factors that hinder or facilitate the community participation of adults with SCI in Saudi Arabia to improve rehabilitation interventions and to improve community participation from their own perspectives. Methodology: This qualitative descriptive study used online semi-structured interviews. Eight adults with SCI, four men and four women, were recruited from the Adult Motor Disability Association (known as Harakia) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis of the transcript interviews. Results: Three basic themes emerged as the facilitators and enablers to community participation from the perspectives of individuals with SCI: social and psychological support, such as support from family, friends, and peers with SCI; provision of community services, from rehabilitation therapies and disability-focused associations; and meaningful occupations, such as work and leisure. Two basic themes were identified as barriers and challenges to community participation for individuals with SCI: the social environment, such as negative behaviour and attitudes, and environmental inaccessibility in transport and public places. Additionally, the findings highlight the insufficient implementation of the Saudi Arabian disability policy for a fully accessible environment, which therefore restricts community participation for individuals with SCI. Conclusion: The findings indicate a need to understand community participation for individuals with SCI by considering the social environment and environmental accessibility that affect their participation. Occupational therapists should promote assessment tools for community participation and environmental accessibility for individuals with SCI and wheelchair users in Saudi Arabia. Effective community-based rehabilitation mechanisms are required, which can include community peer support services for individuals with SCIs in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, there is a need to promote the sufficient implementation of disability policies in Saudi Arabia.4 0