📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe long-term functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), placing a significant burden on affected individuals, families, and healthcare systems. In Nigeria, structured data on HRQoL outcomes in SCI populations are limited, constraining evidence-based rehabilitation planning. This comparative cross-sectional study assesses HRQoL and its determinants among adults with chronic spinal cord injuries at Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), South East Nigeria. The SF-36 Health Survey and the WHOQOL-BREF will be administered to 100 participants with established SCI. Level and completeness of injury (ASIA classification), time since injury, bladder and bowel management, pressure ulcer history, access to rehabilitation, and social support will be measured as explanatory variables. Multiple linear regression will identify independent predictors of HRQoL domain scores. The study hypothesises that incomplete injury, robust social support, and consistent rehabilitation access are the strongest predictors of higher HRQoL scores. Findings will be reported to the rehabilitation medicine units at both hospitals and submitted for publication to guide improved SCI care pathways in the South East zone. Keywords: spinal cord injury, health-related quality of life, SF-36, ASIA classification, Enugu.
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