Original Research Epidemiology of spinal cord injuries in three selected counties in Kenya

George M. Muli, Veronica Ntsiea, Natalie Benjamin-Damons, Nassib Tawa

South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 81, No 1 | a2097 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2097 | © 2025 George M. Muli, Veronica Ntsiea, Natalie Benjamin-Damons, Nassib Tawa | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 17 June 2024 | Published: 31 January 2025

About the author(s) George M. Muli, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Veronica Ntsiea, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Natalie Benjamin-Damons, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nassib Tawa, Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents a significant health challenge, characterised by damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma, inflammation, tumours or other aetiologies. This injury often leads to a range of debilitating consequences, including loss of motor function, sensation, sphincter control and autonomic nerve function below the site of injury, as well as challenges with self-care and performance of instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs).

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and characteristics of SCI among adult patients in three selected counties in Kenya.

Method: A population of 213 patients from three counties in Kenya was used for this study. Then, a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilised to evaluate the prevalence of SCI.

Results: The findings reveal a predominant prevalence in male patients, accounting for 84.04% of occurrences, with the highest incidence observed among individuals aged 26–35 years (36.15%). Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause, accounting for 45.07% of cases, followed by falls from height accounting for 42.25% of cases and violence, specifically gunshot injuries, which account for 7.04% of incidents.

Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a comprehensive epidemiology of SCI in three counties in Kenya with male patients recording high prevalence in motor vehicle accidents and falls from height as well as in severity and associated SCI complications.

Clinical implications: This finding provides significant information on safety awareness and a platform to develop rehabilitation programmes for patients with SCI in Kenya.

Keywords

complication; epidemiology; prevalence; spinal cord injury; risk factors and characteristics of SCI

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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