Stroke survivors’ activity and participation levels in Kinshasa: preliminary results of a cross-sectional study
Mwaka R C1, 2, Abedi P3, Perreault K1, 2, Batcho C S1, 2
1 Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada ;
2 Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Quebec, Canada
3 Institut de Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kinshasa (ISTM-KIN), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo




Background 

In Kinshasa (Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo), patients with stroke have limited access to long-term rehabilitation cares. Given that most of these patients benefit from professional-delivered rehabilitation cares only for a short period; this may impact on their recovery. Little is known regarding their mid- and long-term levels of activity and participation. This study aimed to describe patients’ activity and participation levels, and to explore related personal, clinical and environmental factors.

Method

In this prospective cross-sectional study, stroke patients living in the Kinshasa region were assessed with the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS, stroke-related impairment), 10-meter walk test (10MWT, walking speed), Barthel index (BI, functional autonomy), ACTIVLIM-Stroke (activity limitation) and Reintegration to normal living index (RNLI, participation). In addition, sociodemographic, clinical and environmental data were collected. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlations were used to describe activity and participation levels and examine associations between participation and personal, clinical and environmental factors.

Results 
Preliminary results are based on 73 participants (49 males; mean age: 58,3±12,7 years old; median post-stroke duration: 12 (1-170) months). BI and RNLI median scores were respectively 100 (20-100) and 5(0-20). ACTIVLIM-Stroke and 10MWT mean scores were respectively 69±21.1% and 0.9±0.6 (m/s). Age, SIAS, duration of physiotherapy session, and average number of planned physiotherapy session/month showed significant correlations with RNLI. The correlations were fair for SIAS, duration of physiotherapy session, and average number of planned physiotherapy session/month (correlation coefficients between -0.34 and 0.49, p<0.01), but weak for age (correlation coefficients 0.25, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with stroke living in Kinshasa generally had good activity and participation levels. Age, stroke-related impairments, duration of physiotherapy session, and average number of planned physiotherapy session/month seemed to be associated with participation.