Barriers to preventive health practices in women with spinal cord impairments

Women with spinal cord impairment (SCI) encounter many barriers to receiving satisfactory health care. Problems associated with access to health care decrease the likelihood of health promotion and disease prevention activities for women with disabilities such as SCI. A convenience sample of 28 women was recruited from community settings to participate in this qualitative investigation. This study examined three factors that impact preventative health practices of women with SCI. These are: inadequate knowledge of women with SCI regarding health care risks and health care needs, reliance on caregivers to facilitate preventative health practices, and perceived access to competent health care providers (HCP). Audiotaped interviews were conducted using qualitative data analysis through analytical induction and constant comparison. Saturation of information revealed three common domains: self-management, interactions with caregivers, and interactions with the health care system. Several recommendations are made to facilitate provisions of health promotion and disease prevention activities for women with SCI.