“Don’t rush into thinking of walking again”: Patient views of treatment and disability following an open tibia fracture in Malawi

Schade, Alexander Thomas, Sibande, Wakumanya, Kumwenda, Moses, Desmond, Nicola ORCID: 0000-0002-2874-8569, Chokotho, Linda, Karasouli, Eleni, Metcalfe, Andrew and Harrison, William ORCID: 0000-0001-7229-0041 (2022) “Don’t rush into thinking of walking again”: Patient views of treatment and disability following an open tibia fracture in Malawi. Wellcome Open Research, 7. p. 204.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18063.1

Abstract

<h4>Background: </h4> Open tibia fractures are a common injury following road traffic accidents in Malawi and can lead to long term disability. Very little is known about patients’ experiences of the healthcare system and the disability in low-income countries following this injury. The aim of the study was to explore patient experiences of treatment and disability following an open tibia fracture in Malawi. <h4>Methods: </h4>: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with ten patients with open tibia fractures at a central hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. A mixed deductive-inductive thematic analysis was used to identify broad themes of treatment and disability. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. <h4>Results: </h4>: Patient characteristics included an average age of 39.1 years old (22-63) and 80% were male. Broad themes found were delays in receiving treatment, change in individuals’ societal role and delayed recovery associated with pain and immobility. <h4>Conclusions: </h4>: Open tibia fractures in Malawi have a devastating impact on patients and their families. Further studies are required to explore the reasons for the delays in open fracture emergency treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Physical Injury - Accidents and Adverse Effects, Clinical Research, Injuries and accidents, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2022 11:00
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 17:02
DOI:	10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18063.1
Open Access URL:	https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/7-204/v1
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3164920