Association between seeking oral health information online and knowledge in adults with spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Perceptions of patients towards oral health care in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are at an increased risk of poor oral health compared to the general population. However, little is known about the related barriers and facilitators experienced by these individuals within the hospital setting.

OBJECTIVES

Understand the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices of people with SCIs, barriers and facilitators to managing their oral health, and recommendations to improve oral care at acute/rehabilitation hospital settings.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants, from a major metropolitan hospital in Sydney, Australia. The interviews were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Three themes were constructed. Participants believed that the onus was on them to manage their oral health. Individuals also had limited knowledge of its importance to general health, and placed a lower priority on oral health compared to other aspects of health. All participants identified a combination of factors, such as cost, time, resources and prior negative experiences, that contributed to the neglect of their oral care. Participants also discussed the need of support from the multidisciplinary team and family/carers to facilitate oral care and identified various appropriate oral health education formats.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted some areas where oral health knowledge among people with SCIs could be improved. It also identified the need for oral health training for the multidisciplinary team, as well as carers, to better integrate oral care during rehabilitation in the hospital. The development of oral health interventions would need to utilise a co-design approach to best support clients and their carers to facilitate oral care self-management.

Medical, dental, and optical care utilization among community-living people with spinal cord injury in the United States

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE

Information about patterns of healthcare utilization for people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently limited, and this is needed to understand independent community living after SCI. This study investigates self-reported healthcare utilization among community-living people with SCI and assesses disparities across demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related subgroups.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data administered via telephone interview.

SETTING

6 SCI Model Systems centers in the United States (California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania).

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with chronic, traumatic SCI who were community-living for at least one year after the completion of an inpatient rehabilitation program (N = 617).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Utilization of a usual source of 4 types of health care in the past 12 months: primary, SCI, dental, and optical.

RESULTS

84% of participants reported utilizing primary care in the past year. More than half reported utilizing SCI (54%) and dental (57%) care, and 36% reported utilizing optical care. There were no significant differences across key subgroups in the utilization of primary care. Participants who had been injured for 5 years or less and participants with greater educational attainment were more likely to report utilizing SCI care. Participants with higher household income levels were more likely to report using dental care. Female participants and older age groups were more likely to report using optical care.

CONCLUSION

Rates of healthcare utilization among people with SCI are below recommended rates and vary across demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related subgroups. This information can inform future research to target barriers to using healthcare services among community-living people with SCI.

Determinants of health knowledge and health perceptions from the perspective of health-related education of patients with spinal cord injury: a systematic review

Appropriate health knowledge (HK) and health perceptions (HP) of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) are linked to health-related behaviors, compliance, the involvement of caregivers and efficacy of prophylaxis, and management of secondary conditions. The significance of factors determining the efficacy of educational interventions in patients with SCI is underestimated. This systematic literature review aims at identification of determinants of HK and HP among patients with SCI. We identified 16 papers with quantitative HK and HP measurements conclusive in the identification of HK and HP determinants in individuals with SCI. Better HK and HP correlated with health condition-related variables (traumatic SCI, history of secondary conditions, except depression), body functions and structures (tetraplegia, incomplete deficit), activities (independence in daily living activities, ability of locomotion on a wheelchair, inability to walk), social and vocational participation, environmental factors (access to a computer with Internet connection, living in a big city, being married, healthcare recently received), and personal factors (younger age among adults, living with SCI for a longer time, younger age at SCI onset, higher educational level, internal locus of control). Limitations encountered included high nonresponse rates among the patients enrolled, and use of heterogeneous and nonvalidated tools. The results of these studies do not cover the entire scope of possible interactions and exclusively apply univariate correlations. The paucity and methodological limitations of studies conclusive in the identification of HK and HP determinants in SCI patients and the development of new approaches to information and education warrant more high-quality research on the basis of multivariate analyses.

Predictors of oral health after spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To examine predictors of oral health in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Ninety-two people with SCI (> or =6 months, 44% cervical level) completed questionnaires and underwent oral examination. Socio-economic, injury-related and oral habits variables were used for predicting oral health score (OHS); Decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score; and periodontal screen and recording index (PSR).

RESULTS

Most people with SCI were able to bring at least one hand to the mouth (82%) and brush teeth independently (65%). Regarding daily oral habits, 84% reported brushing teeth, 48% rinsing mouth, 14% flossing, 33% tobacco use and 13% mouthstick use. Only 32% had teeth cleaned within the past year. Oral examination revealed three decayed and eight missing teeth on average, with prominent periodontal disease (64%). Employment before SCI and more risky oral habits were significant predictors of worse OHS (P=0.005 and P=0.014, respectively) and PSR score (P=0.010 and P=0.035, respectively). Older age was the only predictor of worse DMFT score (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Oral health appears compromised in people with SCI. Identification of modifiable risk factors warrants examination whether intervention with focus on behavioral changes may improve oral health in this population.