Upplevd livskvalitet hos individer med ryggmärgsskada inom två år efter skadan irurala och semi-urbana Kilimanjaroregionen, Tanzania: En kvalitativ intervjustudie

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe condition that results in significant physical, psychological, and social challenges for affected individuals. In developing countries such as Tanzania, the incidence of SCI is higher than the global average. Previous quantitative studies have also shown that individuals living with SCI in rural Tanzania report relatively low quality of life (QoL), which indicates the need for further qualitative studies to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and experiences. Aim: To explore the perceived quality of life and lived experiences of individuals with spinal cord injury in the rural and semi-urban Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Method: Semi-structured interviews were performed with six participants living with SCI in their respective homes. The interviews were transcribed, translated from Kiswahili to English and then analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Result: The analysis identified 5 categories: Family as the primary source of care and support, The economic situation is a major concern and affects multiple areas of life, Emotional navigation and variation in psychological well‑being over time, Environmental barriers limiting social participation and independency and Daily life burdened by physical difficulties. Result: The analysis identified 5 categories: Family as the primary source of care and support, The economic situation is a major concern and affects multiple areas of life, Emotional navigation and variation in psychological wellbeing over time, Environmental barriers limiting social participation and independency and Daily life burdened by physical difficulties. Conclusion: Individuals living with spinal cord injury in the rural and semi-urban parts of the Kilimanjaro region face challenges across all domains of QoL. There is a clear need for stronger support systems to improve their QoL, such as community-based rehabilitation, financial support, and improved environmental accessibility.