title: Continuous use of intermittent bladder catheterization--can social support contribute?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to investigate the factors affecting the adequate continuous use of intermittent catheterization and its relation with social support.
  
  
  METHODS
  sectional, descriptive and correlational study involving 49 patients with neuropathic bladder caused by spinal cord injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  almost all (92%) participants continued the intermittent catheterization, but 46.9% made some changes in the technique. The complications (28.6% of the sample) were mainly infection and vesicolithiasis. There were high scores for social support in relation to people that were part of the patient's social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All of them noticed great support from the family, but not from the society in general. The difficulties were related to the lack of equipment and inadequate infrastructure, leading to changes that increased urologic complications.
authors.affiliation: Rede Sarah de Hospitais de Reabilitação, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marjoyre Anne Lindozo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elenice Dias Ribeiro de Paula
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057928:Intermittent Urethral Catheterization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000628:therapy*