Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of environmental barriers perceived by people
living with spinal cord injury in the Swiss community and to compare this across
subpopulations.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SUBJECTS: A total of 1,549
participants in the community survey of the Swiss spinal cord injury Cohort
study. METHODS: The perceived impact of environmental barriers on participation
was measured with the Nottwil Environmental Factors Inventory Short Form
(NEFI-SF). Physical independence was measured with the Spinal Cord Independence
Measure Self Report (SCIM-SR). Perceived barriers were compared across people
with different demographic and lesion characteristics. Multivariable regression
modelling applying fractional polynomials was used to evaluate the overall
perceived impact of barriers in relation to demographics, spinal cord injury
characteristics, and physical independence. RESULTS: Most perceived barriers were
climatic conditions and inaccessibility of public and private infrastructure.
Older participants, those with longer time since injury and participants with
complete lesions indicated more problems with access. Females reported more
attitudinal barriers. Approximately one-third of participants with complete
tetraplegia reported obstacles related to assistance with personal care. A higher
level of physical independence was associated with fewer perceived barriers.
CONCLUSION: Despite living in a rich country with a well-developed social
security system, many people with spinal cord injury in Switzerland experience
participation restrictions due to environmental barriers; in particular women,
people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury and limited physical independence.
- Suisse

Langue : ANGLAIS