Knowledge Of Immobilization Complications In Trauma Patients

Abstract

Patient management involves addressing the ailment that the patient presents with, but in addition, it necessitates involving the patient in the management of their ailment. The issue in this research was whether immobilised patients in orthopaedics were informed about the complications of their management and whether they actually consented to that line of management or were forced by circumstances. Study Objectives Broad objective To establish the knowledge level of immobilized orthopaedic patients on the complications of their immobilization. Specific objective 1. To determine the knowledge level of patients on the complications of immobilization in the orthopaedic department. 2. To correlate the education level of patients and their knowledge on the complications of immobilization. 3. To determine, from the patient, whether immobilization was as a result of choice or circumstances. 4. To assess what actions have been taken, by the knowledgeable patients, to avoid the complications of immobilization. Methodology This study involved administering a questionnaire to all immobilised and eligible patients in the orthopaedic wards. The questionnaire was intended to establish the issues raised by the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics were used for continuous variables such as age of the patient. Counts and respective proportions were used for tabulation of categorical valuables such as gender, education level, type of immobilization, reason for immobilization and whether immobilization was by choice or not. Bivariate associations to correlate the education level of patients and their knowledge on the complications of immobilization were assessed by Pearson chi-squares or fishers exact test as was deemed appropriate, p values were reported. All statistical tests were evaluated at 5% level of significance. Bivariate associations were used to correlate knowledge level and the avoidance of complications. 6 Results. Immobilised patients in this study were mainly males between the ages of 18 to 44years. Most patients had at least primary school education. The knowledge level on complications of prolonged immobilization was low among these patients and was not influenced by the patient’s education level. The actual knowledge levels ranged from an average of 12.8 for musculoskeletal complications, to 3.6 % for cardiovascular complications and 4.4% for other complications. Most patients were immobilised out of circumstance and not out of choice. Knowledge on complications of prolonged immobilization could not be demonstrated to prevent the occurrence of the said complications. Recommendations More effort needs to be put into education of patients on the complications of prolonged immobilization. This might require the development of a consent form that would require to be filled for anyone who is immobilised for a certain duration.