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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Rie Suzuki, PhD¹, Gloria L. Krahn, PhD, MPH¹, Michael McCarthy, MSW², Elizabeth Adams, PhD, RD³, Laura A. Hammond, MPH, CHES¹, and Dean H. Westwood, MSW². (1) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center: Health and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, PO Box 574, Portland, OR 97207, 503-418-1773, suzukir@ohsu.edu, (2) Oregon Institute on Disability and Development, Oregon Health and Science University, P.O. Box 574, Portland, OR 97207-0574, (3) Oregon Health and Sciences University, LEND Program, Portland, OR 97239

The presence of secondary conditions appears to be associated with demographic and contextual factors, as well as health practices among people with disabilities. However, few studies have investigated the degree to which contextual factors impact the presence of secondary conditions and the quality of life (QOL) among people with disabilities. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the relative influence of demographic and contextual factors to the presence of secondary conditions and the QOL among participants with disabilities from multiple states. A cross-sectional survey was administered in a cluster sample of three national durable medical equipment companies serving Washington, New York and Oregon. A total 654 people with spinal cord injury (SCI) were identified through applying ICD – 9 billing codes to the customer databases. Of the 277 people who responded to the mailed survey, 234 people reported SCI. The Andersen behavioral model was used as the framework of the analyses. Multiple regression analysis with the maximum likelihood robust method and the missing imputation were performed on Mplus. The results revealed that participants who frequently received social and emotional support were less likely to develop secondary conditions. High perceived self-efficacy and increased access to recreational centers improved QOL. On the other hand, participants who had been denied treatments due to the inadequate insurance or because of rules and regulations reported lower QOL. High prevalence of secondary conditions and low QOL was associated with increased health care use. The implications of this will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of contextual factors for the presence of secondary conditions and QOL
• Describe the association between demographic, lifestyle and contextual factors and health care use and the incidence of secondary conditions and QOL
• Discuss the implication of these findings on future health promotion and prevention research and programming.

Keywords: Disability, Survey

Related Web page: www.healthwellness.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation