Stroke survivors' perceptions of living with disability in urban Ghana- a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Stroke prevalence is one of the most pressing issues in many sub-Saharan African countries. Stroke survivors often face disabilities, mental health problems, and experience stigma. Research on post-stroke experiences and interventions is limited, particularly in low and middle-income countries, including Ghana. This study aims to contribute to this gap by investigating experiences of everyday life following a stroke in urban Ghana.

METHOD: A qualitative in-depth study involving 14 interviews with stroke survivors who attended physiotherapy at Accra Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic. Qualitative analysis was conducted to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Data analysis generated four themes; [1] Mobility limitations; [2] Psychosocial burden [3] Employment Limitations [4] Financial burden.

CONCLUSION

Stroke survivors with disabilities perceive themselves as non-functional members of society, which limits their options for a normal life and undermines their well-being. A more in-depth understanding of these issues can contribute to strategies, interventions, and policies that address these problems.