Predictors of return to work among stroke survivors in south-west Nigeria.
Olumide Ayoola Olaoye, Shaheed Moghammad Soeker, Rhoda Anthea
PMID 34408555WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors in Nigeria returned to work at a 63.8% rate.
Those with left-side weakness were far more likely to return than those with right-side weakness. Environmental barriers like transport and workplace access, plus pain and fatigue, significantly hindered return to work.
Key findings
01Over 60% of stroke survivors returned to work, with about half of those returning in full-time employment.
02Survivors with non-dominant side hemiplegia were significantly more likely to return to work than those with dominant side hemiplegia.
03Travel to work and workplace access were the most common environmental barriers, while pain and fatigue were significant symptom barriers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study used a cross-sectional design, so it cannot prove that specific factors caused the return to work, only that they are associated. Participants were recruited via convenient sampling from five hospitals in one region of Nigeria, which may not represent all stroke survivors. All data was self-reported, which introduces potential bias in how survivors perceived their barriers and abilities. Hand dominance was not directly checked in the study, so the link between 'dominant side' hemiplegia and return to work relies on population averages rather than individual confirmation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that left-side weakness is universally advantageous for return to work without considering hand dominance, as the study did not verify individual hand preference. Also, remember this is a cross-sectional survey in Nigeria; return-to-work rates and barriers may differ significantly in other healthcare systems.