Return to work after stroke; rate, facilitators and barriers in Buffalo City, South Africa

Date
2018-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Stroke is an alarming medical and public health problem globally. Effects of stroke are strongly linked to an increase in burden of care and loss in productivity. Literature shows that a large proportion of stroke survivors do not return to work (RTW). Objectives: How many stroke survivors returned to work and what variables influence returning to work for stroke survivors in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM), Eastern Cape, South Africa? Methods: A descriptive, mixed methods study was conducted between March 2015 and March 2017. Quantitative data was collected from 40 participants. Demographic data, work history, and barriers and facilitators were identified with use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Qualitative data was collected from seven purposively selected participants using a semi-structured interview and was thematically analysed. Results: Only 32% of participants successfully returned to work following their stroke. Those that returned to work had a low Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and tended to have employment in white-collar work. Main barriers for returning to work that have been identified included: poor functional use of the affected arm and leg, poor memory, difficulty with speech and poor support and guidance from healthcare professionals and employers. Main facilitators included: dislike of being bored, financial needs to support one’s self and family, enjoyment of work as well as supportive and understanding healthcare professionals and employers. Conclusion: The RTW rate after stroke in BCM is low. Identification of goals and collaboration between all role players should commence at the earliest time possible, so as to begin the process of return to work.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Agtergrond: Beroerte is 'n kommerwekkende mediese en openbare gesondheidsprobleem wêreldwyd. Die effekte van beroerte word sterk gekoppel tot 'n toename in die las van sorg en verlies in produktiwiteit. Literatuur wys dat ‘n groot porsie van beroerte-oorlewendes nie terugkeer na die werk nie. Objektief: Hoeveel beroerte-oorlewendes keer terug na werk en watter veranderlikes beïnvloed terugkeer na die werk vir beroerte-oorlewendes in die Buffalo City Metropolitaanse Munisipaliteit (BCM), Oos-Kaap, Suid-Afrika? Metodes: 'n Beskrywende, gemengde metodes studie is uitgevoer tussen Maart 2015 en Maart 2017. Kwantitatiewe data is ingesamel van 40 deelnemers. Demografiese data, werkgeskiedenis en, met behulp van die Internasionale Klassifikasie van Funksionering, Gestremdheid en Gesondheid, is hindernisse en fasiliteerders geïdentifiseer. Kwalitatiewe data was versamel vanaf sewe doelgerigte geselekteerde deelnemers deur middel van 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud en is tematies geanaliseer. Bevindinge: Slegs 32% van die deelnemers het suksesvol terug gekeer na werk na hul beroete. Diegene wat terug gekeer het na die werk het 'n lae mRS gehad en was geneig om te werk in ‘n “wit boordjie” werk. Die belangrikste hindernisse geïdentifiseer vir terugkeer na werk, sluit in: swak funksionele gebruik van die angetaste arm en been, swak geheue, moeilike spraak en swak ondersteuning en leiding van gesondheidswerkers en werkgewers. Hooffasiliteerders sluit in: hou nie daarvan om verveeld te wees nie, finansiële behoeftes om self en familie te onderhou, werk genot, sowel as ondersteuning en begrip van gesondheidswerkers en werkgewers.
Description
Thesis (MHumanRehabSt)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.
Keywords
Cerebrovascular disease -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Buffalo City (South Africa), Cerebrovascular disease -- Buffalo City (South Africa), UCTD
Citation