Relationship between community integration and life satisfaction among stroke survivors dwelling in rural communities of southwest, Nigeria

Aims: This study assessed the relationship between community reintegration and life satisfaction of individuals who experienced cardiovascular accident in rural communities of southwest, Nigeria. Methods: Using a convenience sampling technique, 60 stroke survivors responded to this cross sectional survey yielding a response rate of 79%. A structured self-administered questionnaire on reintegration to normal living and life satisfaction after stroke was used to assess community reintegration and life satisfaction of respondent between the periods of January, 2015 and October, 2015. Procedure was explained to consented respondents and data were subsequently obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. P-value was set at ˂ 0.05. Results: The respondents were 35 males and 25 females with an overall mean age of 57.1±10.4 years and post stroke duration of 22.6±12.9 months. The mean reintegration to normal living index (RNLI) score of the respondents was 66.9±21.6 with over 55% of them having moderate to full community reintegration. The respondents had an overall life satisfaction score of 3.7±1.2. Less than 32% of the respondents were dissatisfied with life and this was observed to be marked in vocation (3.2±1.8) and sexual life (2.7±1.8) domains. Neither of the respondents’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were significantly association with each of reintegration to normal living index (except side of affectation) and satisfaction with life. However, there was a significant positive relationship between reintegration to normal living and life satisfaction of respondents (r=0.539, p=0.001). Conclusion: Stroke survivors dwelling in rural communities of southwest, Nigeria had low to moderate level of reintegration into everyday activities and were dissatisfied with life after stroke. Community integration after stroke was significantly associated by side of stroke affectation and significantly related to life satisfaction after stroke.