Everyday Life Activities Research Articles

How Do Everyday Life Activities Affect Seating Pressure Measurements?

Pressure measurements to detect risks for pressure injuries in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) have been available for quite some time. Unfortunately, knowledge of how postural changes during longer periods of daily life activity affecting the results is still limited. In the present study, the authors expected to note shifts in the center of pressure as well as in the pressure distribution, especially in patients who were able to change their position actively. A seat pressure mat (BodiTrak2) was used to perform measurements of 34 SCI wheelchair users after initial transfer into the wheelchair as well as 30 and 90 minutes later. Mean pressure, maximum pressure, pressure-loaded measuring surface, and the coordinates of the center of pressure were analyzed, and findings were statistically analyzed using the t test and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. To quantify the drift of the measurement system, recordings with a reference weight were performed. The analyzed parameters from the initial measurement differed significantly from the later measurements at 30 and 90 minutes, whereas the parameters were stable after 30 minutes. The measurements with the reference weight showed the same measurement course. The measurements after 30 and 90 minutes were consistent, contrary to expectations. The activity of the participant between measurements did not appear to be of much importance. Relief maneuvers appear to provide relief only while the maneuver is being performed. Thus, relief activities must be frequent enough and long enough to allow adequate blood flow to the tissues.

Experiences of implementation of the group-based adaptation training intervention for patients with chronic somatic illnesses or disabilities among multi-professional teams in specialized healthcare

Objective To describe the experiences of multi-professional teams of implementation of group-based adaptation training intervention for patients with chronic somatic illnesses or disabilities in specialized healthcare. Materials and methods Multi-professional teams (n = 7) implementing adaptation training courses for chronically ill patients in specialised healthcare were interviewed between 09/2020 and 12/2021. The themes for thematic group interviews were based on the standard protocol implementation of adaptation training in specialised healthcare, including planning, implementation and evaluation of the adaptation training courses. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results The experiences of multi-professional teams involved using pedagogical methods, providing guidance and counselling to support the rehabilitation process, ensuring opportunities for peer support, and supporting the course participants’ involvement and activities in everyday life. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should use pedagogical methods in reflective guidance and counselling to promote client-oriented approach in supporting adaptation. Their competence in pedagogy needs to be build and maintained by continuous education. Multi-professional teams need to ensure sufficient and versatile conditions for peer support and involvement of family members by creating open and trusting atmosphere, unhurried encounters, discussions, different and varying ways of working. Adaptation training can strengthen the self-efficacy of participants and help them shift their attention from illness and disability to thoughts of the future. Adaptation training can support active and meaningful daily life in a changed life situation.

Burden of refractory and unexplained chronic cough on patients' lives: a cohort study.

Chronic cough (cough lasting for ≥8 weeks) can lead to significant impairment in quality of life (QoL). Using patient-reported outcomes, this cohort study assessed the perceived impact of chronic cough on QoL and everyday life in patients from outpatient hospital clinics with refractory chronic cough (RCC) or unexplained chronic cough (UCC). This was a multicentre, non-interventional survey study. Cough severity was assessed on a 0-100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Frequency, intensity and disruptiveness of cough were assessed using an adaptation of the Cough Severity Diary. The impact of cough on QoL was assessed using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). The physical impact of cough and associated impact on everyday life activities were explored using purpose-designed questions. 191 patients responded to the survey; 121 (63.4%) had RCC and 149 were women (78.0%). Mean score on the cough severity VAS was 62.9 mm. Mean LCQ total score of 11.9 indicated reduced QoL. Cough impaired patients' everyday life, including the inability to speak fluently (58.0% of patients) and feeling tired/drained (46.6%). Women perceived poorer chronic cough-related QoL than men, as reflected by lower LCQ scores, and greater impairment of physical health, including cough-related stress urinary incontinence, and psychological health. Patients with RCC/UCC experience a significant burden in their everyday life, including impaired QoL, and perceive a negative impact on physical and psychological health and everyday activities, affecting work, relationships and leisure activities. The impact appears to be greater in women than men for several of the aspects studied.

The Particular and the Provincial: Thinking with Dorothy Smith’s Phenomenology

I focus on Smith’s phenomenological insights related to the concepts of “bifurcation” and “consciousness” to explore the persistent tension in her work between particularity and abstraction. For Smith, because marginalized groups’ experiences are excluded from dominant ways of knowing, we must begin inquiry from the embodied activity of everyday life, never from the abstracted categories of accepted knowledge. Smith’s concept of bifurcation is essential to understanding this. When people experience the world as bifurcated, we should ask how that split illuminates the ongoing production of marginality as constituted by historically specific relations of ruling. “Consciousness” is likewise essential for Smith because it reflects her concern with how forms of domination get incorporated. For Smith, consciousness is not “micro” but reflects the temporal organization of social power. Starting from the particular seems “small” but is actually incredibly ambitious: The most shrouded aspects of social power are visible there.

A new generation of consumers? A study on the pro-environmental behavior of the Fridays for Future generation based on the social identity approach

Especially for the younger generation, climate change is a threat, and therefore, environmental protection and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) are most important. The Fridays for Future movement speaks up for the young generation. Based on the social identity approach, the study is the first to investigate the role of stereotypes related to identification with the movement as a political expression of youth. Using structural equation modeling (n = 543), the study demonstrates that identification is higher when pupils connect the movement with positive stereotypes, aligning with previous research findings for other activists, such as feminists. Whereby environmental concern has an additionally significant but low impact on identification, pro-material value orientation has no effect. Furthermore, the study investigates the relationship between identification with the movement and different types of PEB. The relationship is strongest with public sphere PEB in the form of future participation in a demonstration of the movement. Nevertheless, there is also a positive relationship with private sphere PEB such as nature-compatible actions in everyday life, for example, a meat-free diet and buying an environmentally friendly product. This is partly additionally confirmed through a conjoint analysis also conducted as part of the study. These findings enhance the understanding of the relationship between activism and different types of PEB among pupils and they contribute to closing this research gap. Finally, the implications and limitations of the work are discussed, along with an outlook for future research.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AMONG YOUNGSTERS: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BELTHANGADY TALUK

A strong financial system indicates healthy economic growth. Financial literacy is a stepping stone for financial inclusion. For the successful implementation of various schemes of financial inclusion, financial literacy is the primary stage. Literacy merely reflects knowledge and skill through education, whereas financial literacy indicates the skill and knowledge to manage the financial activities in everyday life. The Indian education system through its well defined curriculum tries to build the overall personality of the individual and helps to enhance peoples access to current and upcoming changes in the economy. In this era of digitalisation, the education system should put more emphasis towards financial literacy. Financial literacy opens up a world of possibilities for young minds by empowering their financial knowledge. This paper tries to explore financial literacy among youngsters, especially focusing on young students pursuing their pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. KEYWORDS: Financial literacy, knowledge, skill, development, financial inclusion

Should sex education in the Philippines remain taboo?

Sex education is an important topic that is relevant in everyday life activities. However, due to its rare and sensitive connotation, this topic remains to be taboo in the Philippines. With the country having high devotion to Christianity, conversations about sex, sexuality, and sex education are considered inappropriate and sinful. This paper narrates the overview and reflections on a webinar program of occupational therapy students in Pampanga about the relevance of sex education in the youth, school, the occupational therapy profession, and the community. Sex education was discussed in a way that is not limited to sexual intercourse but covered how individual views and expresses themselves through their sexuality. Challenges such as providing sexuality education among children and youth should be provided to decrease teenage pregnancy and sex-related diseases. Schools, families, healthcare institutions, and communities should also be open about sex education to reduce experiences of negative mental health outcomes due to religious prejudice and biases and help the young generation to have lifelong healthy decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily rhythms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted daily activity rhythms and life routines with people adjusting to new work schedules, exercise routines, and other everyday life activities. This study examines temporal changes in daily activity rhythms and routines during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing disproportionate changes among working adult subgroups. In June 2021, we conducted a year-long study to collect high-resolution fitness tracker data and questionnaire responses from 128 working adults. Questionnaire data were analyzed to explore changes in exercise and work routines during the pandemic. We build temporal distributions of daily step counts to quantify their daily movement rhythms, then measure their consistency over time using the inverse of the Earth mover's distance. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to compare movement rhythm variability among subpopulations. During the pandemic, our cohort exhibited a shift in exercise routines, with a decrease in nonwalking physical exercises, while walking remained unchanged. Migrants and those living alone had less consistent daily movement rhythms compared to others. Those preferring on-site work maintained more consistent daily movement rhythms. Men and migrants returned to work more quickly after pandemic restriction measures were eased. Our findings quantitatively show the pandemic's unequal impact on different subpopulations. This study opens new research avenues to explore why certain groups return to on-site work, exercise levels, or daily movement rhythms more slowly compared to prepandemic times. Considering the pandemic's unequal impact on subpopulations, organizations and policymakers should address diverse needs and offer tailored support during future crises.

Life after paediatric brain tumour; the perspectives of the survivors and their parents.

To explore how long-term and late effects of paediatric brain tumours influence the everyday lives of survivors at various ages and their parents. A qualitative interview study using reflexive thematic analysis. We conducted individual interviews and focus groups with 14 paediatric brain tumour survivors aged 9-52 years and 16 parents, which were audiorecorded and transcribed. We inductively analyzed the data using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Inductively derived themes were then mapped onto the components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to examine the survivors' everyday functioning. All survivors experienced ongoing long-term and late effects but with considerable variations in how these restricted the survivors' functioning and thus their ability to participate in everyday life activities (e.g. social, educational and work activities). All survivors expressed an explicit focus on and use of different strategies to manage their perceived functional limitations and participation restrictions. Many survivors expressed discrepancies between their own goals, expectations and actual abilities post-cancer; making them very aware of their limitations. In addition, many survivors and parents experienced ongoing concerns about the survivors' future, including the risk of late effects, relapse or other complications. A wide range of long-term and late effects continue to affect the survivors and their parents' functioning and everyday lives. Their ongoing needs emphasize the importance of comprehensive, life-long follow-up care, as recommended. The complex challenges across the biopsychosocial realms faced by the survivors supports the call for multidisciplinary survivorship care. Nurses are well positioned to lead such care, as they are trained to provide holistic care and thereby support survivors' functioning and activity participation in everyday life. We used the COREQ guidelines when reporting the study. Two user representatives (one young adult PBT survivor and one mother of a PBT survivor) ensured the relevance and quality of the semi-structured interview guides prior to the interviews with the survivors and parents. The guides were sent to the user representatives by mail, and they provided their written feedback by mail to the first author.

Benefits of a targeted rehabilitation of number transcoding in secondary acalculia: A single-case experimental design.

Despite its potentially significant functional and emotional impact, acalculia is still too rarely assessed and managed by speech and language therapists. Research on the rehabilitation of numerical transcoding remains scarce in the literature and, despite positive results, presents a low level of evidence. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted rehabilitation of numerical transcoding in two patients suffering from a chronic secondary acalculia. Two post-brain injury females with secondary acalculia took part in a single-case experimental design with multiple baseline across subjects according to a three-phase experimental protocol: baseline involving global cognitive rehabilitation (5-7 measurements with randomized sequential introduction); targeted intervention (10 measurements); follow-up (2 immediate measurements and 1 month after the end of the intervention). Repeated outcome measures consisted of six lists composed of numbers of equivalent difficulty that were used alternately to assess numerical transcoding. We used a reverse digit span as a control measure to assess the specificity of the intervention. Rehabilitation lasted 5 weeks and consisted of errorless learning with colour cues, tables and number-words cards. During baseline period involving global cognitive rehabilitation, transcoding scores remained unchanged. In contrast, there was a significant improvement in scores for both patients during the intervention phase targeting transcoding and maintenance of benefits 1-month post-intervention. This study demonstrates that a specific rehabilitation targeting numerical transcoding following chronic secondary acalculia can be effective in improving transcoding skills. What is already known on the subject Transcoding difficulties in patients with acalculia can cause a significant disability in everyday life activities. In secondary acalculia, rehabilitation of cognitive functions associated with number processing (attention, working memory, language) is not sufficient for improvement of transcoding. What this paper adds to existing knowledge An intervention specifically targeting numerical transcoding significantly and durably improves the skills of patients with chronic secondary acalculia. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Procedural error-free intervention using colour cueing, tables, cards with number-words, copy and repetition seems effective to improve transcoding skills in chronic acalculia.

PENGARUH MEDIA POSTER TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PEMBELAJARAN IPA SISWA KELAS V

Natural Science is a learning component that is very close to human activities in everyday life. Therefore, the difficulties experienced in learning science are difficulties in understanding the material presented due to the lack of use of media in the learning process and has an impact on low student learning outcomes. Based on this, the problem in this study is the low learning outcomes of fifth grade students in science learning.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of media posters on learning outcomes in science learning for fifth grade students. The method used was a quantitative method with an experimental type. The design used is Quasi Experimental with the form of Nonequivalent Control Group Design. The population in this study were fifth grade students at SD Negeri 22 Palembang. The sample in this study were students of class VA as the control class and class VB as the experimental class. Data collection techniques in this research are Tests and Documentation. The pretest results for the experimental class with an average of 54.1 and for the control class with an average of 54.8 for the posttest results in the experimental class have an average value of 82.3 and for the control class have an average value of 65.6. Based on the calculation of the normality test, the data obtained by the experimental group was -0.04 and the control group was 0.20. Homogeneity test results for fcount ≤ ftable or 0.62 ≤ 2.40, it can be said to be homogeneous. Testing the hypothesis from the results of the calculation of the t test obtained the value obtained tcount> ttable or 19.19> 2.048 with db 28 at a significant level of 5%. So it can be concluded that the hypothesis states that there is an effect of poster media on the learning outcomes of fifth grade students in science learning.
 Keywords: Poster Media, Learning Outcomes, Science Learning

Feasibility a mobile exergame intervention for patients with heart failure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish National Science Council (2020-01109) The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation (20200190) Introduction People with heart failure often perceive difficulties performing physical activities due to their symptoms. However, physical activity is beneficial and recommended. Therefore, it is a need for interventions supporting patients to increase their physical activity in everyday life. Purpose This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a mobile exergame intervention for patients with heart failure. Methods Nine Swedish patients with heart failure, seven male and two female, median age 73 years (range 63-81) participated. Patients downloaded the exergaming application "Heart Farming" on their private smartphones. Patients were advised to increase daily walking based on their physical condition. Patients received introduction and telephone conversations on a predetermined schedule. Feasibility areas of Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, and Practicality were examined by interviews and data downloaded from the application. Results Patients used Heart farming for one month, their goal of daily walks was in mean 704 meters (range 417-900 meters). Patients increased daily walks and experienced improved health. The individual conversations were perceived supportive and encouraging. Heart farming was perceived easy to learn, use and adjustable to individual needs. Conclusions The study confirmed the impact of encouragement, and importance of tailoring the intervention to patients' personal situation, to achieve regularly daily walks.

Occupational Therapist-Led Mindfulness Training Program for Older Adults Living with Early Cognitive Decline in Primary Care: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Community-dwelling older adults with early cognitive deficits experience less efficiency in performing everyday life tasks, resulting in decreased satisfaction and other adverse psychological outcomes. Mindfulness training has been linked to cognitive and psychological improvements and, most recently, has been identified as a potential intervention supporting performance of everyday life activities. This study aimed to evaluate whether mindfulness practice can improve perceived performance and satisfaction with everyday life activity and secondary psychological outcomes. This study is a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) in an interprofessional primary care team practice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The participants were 27 older adults aged 60 years of age or older living with early cognitive deficits. Participants were randomized into an 8-Week mindfulness training program (n = 14) group or a Wait-List Control (WLC; n = 13) group compared at baseline, post-intervention and 4-weeks follow-up. MANOVAs with post-hoc independent t-tests were used to compare between groups at different time points. There was a significant improvement in anxiety for the intervention group compared to the WLC group at post-intervention; Time-2 (mean difference = 3.90; CI = 0.04-7.75; p = 0.04) with large effect size (d = 0.80). Mindfulness training significantly improved anxiety scores for patients with early cognitive deficits post-intervention. Further work is required to test the sustainability of reduced anxiety over time, but this study demonstrated that MBSR is a promising primary care intervention for those living with early cognitive deficits. This study warrants the pursuit of a future study in exploring how long the reduced anxiety effects would be sustained.

Development of Scientific Problem-Solving Skills in Grade 9 Students by Applying Problem-Based Learning

Making predictions and observations, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions are all examples of scientific problem-solving procedures. The purpose of this research was 1) to develop scientific problem-solving skills by applying problem-based learning as a basis for students in grade 9 to pass the 70 percent requirement and 2) to study the satisfaction of grade 9 students with respect to problem-based learning management. With these aims in mind, the author developed science learning activities in everyday life by applying problem-based learning management in four plans and developing students’ scientific problem-solving skills. Data were collected with a 20-item, multiple-choice scientific problem-solving skill assessment. A total of 32 students in grade 9 in a public secondary school were chosen as study participants. The data were examined with respect to the mean, standard deviation, and percentage. The results revealed that the grade 9 students had an average scientific problem-solving skill score of 15.28 points, representing 76.40%. From this, it can be seen that students had problem-solving skill scores higher than the base requirement. Regarding grade 9 students’ satisfaction with PBL management, the mean value was 4.62, representing the most satisfied level.

The relationship between accuracy in numerosity estimation, math achievement, and math interest in primary school students.

Estimation is a primary activity in everyday life, so getting it "right" in primary school provides a foundational basis in mathematical reasoning. This study focuses on numerosity estimation in primary mathematics, which is one of four types of estimation reported in literature. In numerosity estimation, a non-numerical quantitative representation is typically translated into a number. While it is assumed that fostering numerosity estimation has a great impact on the development of mathematical skills, research indicates that math achievement is influenced by non-cognitive aspects such as students' math interests. So, math interest could also influence the accuracy in numerosity estimation. In this study, we investigate the relationship between accuracy in numerosity estimation, math achievement, and math interest in third-grade students. For capturing accuracy in numerosity estimation in a standardized way, we developed an online numerosity estimation test. For assessing the construct of math interest, we used an existing questionnaire. Math achievement was assessed by a standardized math test that includes two subtests focusing on arithmetic and application tasks. The sample was comprised of 185 third-grade students. We analyzed the data using correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between math interest and math achievement. However, no relationship was found between accuracy in numerosity estimation and math interest nor between accuracy in numerosity estimation and math achievement. These partly unexpected findings suggest further studies dedicated to numerosity estimation and its relationship to other constructs.

Eyes on privacy: acceptance of video-based AAL impacted by activities being filmed.

The use of video-based ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies represents an innovative approach to supporting older adults living as independently and autonomously as possible in their homes. These visual devices have the potential to increase security, perceived safety, and relief for families and caregivers by detecting, among others, emergencies or serious health situations. Despite these potentials and advantages, using video-based technologies for monitoring different activities in everyday life evokes concerns about privacy intrusion and data security. For a sustainable design and adoption of such technical innovations, a detailed analysis of future users' acceptance, including perceived benefits and barriers is required and possible effects and privacy needs of different activities being filmed should be taken into account. Therefore, the present study investigated the acceptance and benefit-barrier-perception of using video-based AAL technologies for different activities of daily living based on a scenario-based online survey (N = 146). In the first step, the results identified distinct evaluation patterns for 25 activities of daily living with very high (e.g., changing clothes, showering) and very low privacy needs (e.g., gardening, eating, and drinking). In a second step, three exemplary activity types were compared regarding acceptance, perceived benefits, and barriers. The acceptance and the perceived benefits of using video-based AAL technologies revealed to be higher in household and social activities compared to intimate activities. The strongest barrier perception was found for intimate activities and mainly regarded privacy concerns. The results can be used to derive design and information recommendations for the conception, development, and communication of video-based AAL technologies in order to meet the requirements and needs of future users.

Physical activity when riding an electric-assisted bicycle with and without cargo.

Regular physical activity provides several health benefits, and active transport is a convenient way to implement physical activity in everyday life. However, bikes' lack of possibilities to carry cargo is a limitation. E-cargo bikes can help overcome barriers to cycling and increase levels of active transport while still providing the option to carry cargo such as groceries and children. As such, E-cargo bikes have a greater potential for being a substitute for cars, but relevance is not known as no study has assessed the energy expenditure and time used using E-cargo bikes with considerable cargo. The aim of this study is to compare time spent riding and exercise intensity when (1) riding an electric-assisted bicycle with cargo (30 kg) and without cargo and (2) driving a car. This study has a randomised crossover design. Eleven participants (six women) were recruited through convenience sampling. The participants traversed through a 4.5 km route with three different forms of transportation: an electric-assisted bicycle (E-bike) with 30 kg cargo, an E-bike without cargo, and a car. Oxygen uptake was measured with a portable oxygen analyser (Metamax 3B), and time spent cycling was measured on site by the test leader using a stopwatch. Riding an E-bike with cargo was slightly slower than riding an E-bike without cargo (11.8 vs. 11.1 min, p = 0.017) and driving a car (8.8 min, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in exercise intensity between E-bikes with and without cargo but riding an E-bike with cargo entailed significantly higher exercise intensity compared to driving a car [4.9 metabolic equivalents of task (METs) vs. 1.4 METs, p ≤ 0.001]. E-biking with cargo was rather similar in time spent and exercise intensity to E-biking without cargo, and not much slower than driving a car. Using E-cargo bikes, therefore, appears a good alternative to driving a car when in need of carrying things such as grocery bags and children, resulting in increasing physical activity and, at the same time, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Темпоральные особенности и кадровые риски сотрудников полиции в период адаптации к служебной деятельности

The temporal features of police officers, on the one hand, are one of the means of successfully passing through the adaptation period and, on the other hand, can actualise their personnel risks. The purpose of the research is to identify differences in attitude to time and its functional significance for police officers in daily life and in official activities, as well as to show that differences in attitude to and functional significance of time are conditions that activate personnel risks.
 Research methods. The respondents were 107 police officers with 3 to 6 months of professional work experience after graduation.
 Psychodiagnostic methods included the questionnaire «Scale of subjective attitude to time», the questionnaire «Personality temporality».
 Results. It was proved that employees have different attitudes to time and its functional significance in everyday life and during the period of adaptation to official activity. It was found that the dominant type of attitude to time in employees’ daily life is temporal plasticity, where time has a stimulating function for a subject, whereas in the period of adaptation the leading type of attitude to service time is temporal dependence, where time, on the one hand, mobilises, and, on the other, – suppresses activity of a subject to achieve the desired and / or necessary goals. The author reveals that temporal conflicts - the contradictions between the dominant attitude to time in its functional meaning in everyday life and official activity - can appear in professional activity; the successful adaptation to service will also depend on resolving these contradictions. An increase in temporal conflict and time dependency can lead to personnel risks.

Pendekatan Ketauladanan Perspektif Pendidikan Islam dalam Pembinaan Karakter Peserta Didik Sekolah Dasar

This study aims to examine how the exemplary approach is implemented by the teacher in order to build the character of elementary school students and examine the obstacles and conveniences that the teacher passes in building the character of students. The research approach is qualitative with the case study method, the subject of this research is Ringin Sari Public Elementary School. Data collection techniques used interviews, observation, and documentation. The research results reveal that the efforts that have been made by the teacher in fostering the character of students are not only related to manners, association, and actions in everyday life. The teacher's example can also be seen in the spiritual development of students by intermediary filling the souls and minds of students with patient, responsible, impartial, trustworthy, and forgiving qualities, and all of these characteristics must be exemplified through the personality of the teacher council. The inhibiting factors experienced by teachers in character building are the lack of understanding of religion that students have and the influence of an unsupportive environment.

Struck by stroke - experiences of living with stroke in a rural area in Uganda

BackgroundThe global burden of stroke is increasing and persons with low socioeconomic status are among those worst affected. In Uganda, stroke is estimated to be the sixth highest ranking cause of death. The Ugandan healthcare system is reported to be inequitable, where poorer populations often live in rural areas with long distances to health care. Stroke rehabilitation is often scarce, with less financial and human resources. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the consequences of stroke in daily activities in everyday life for people in a rural part of Masaka in Uganda.MethodsQualitative study design. Fourteen persons who had had stroke and were living in their home environment were interviewed about their experiences of having a stroke and managing their lives after the stroke incident. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. In addition, sociodemographic data and level of independence (Barthel Index and Stroke Impact Scale 3.0) was collected to describe participant characteristics.ResultsMost of the participants had major consequences of stroke and described that they were dependent on support for managing their daily activities. Five themes were identified in the analysis: (1) Accepting and adapting to new ways of managing everyday life, (2) Changing roles and hierarchical positions, (3) Depending on caregiver support, (4) Interrupted care due to economic constraints, (5) Stroke leading to losses and losses leading to stroke.ConclusionsThe consequences of stroke on the persons’ daily lives clearly reached beyond the person with stroke, affecting the whole family and their proximate social networks. These consequences included increased burdens on caregivers and a worsened economic situation for all persons affected. Therefore, interventions for stroke management should preferably not only target the individual affected by stroke, but also support the caregivers in the caring and rehabilitation process. Home rehabilitation approaches with a focus on improving health literacy are suggested.