title: Quality of Life and Related Factors Among People With Spinal Cord Injuries in Tehran, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is one of the biggest health problems. Disabilities resulting from injuries such as spinal disability requires special attention because of their potential reduced to cause adverse effects in different systems of the body. Today, improving the Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with SCIs is an important goal of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the QOL and related factors among people with SCIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 106 patients with SCI were selected through sampling based on census. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire for measuring the QOL among patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14 software and descriptive and inferential statistics. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean QOL in these patients was 37.1 ± 1.7 years (21 - 65 years) and mean disease duration was 7.3±6 years. The most common injury was paraplegia. Most of the patients have moderate QOL (54.7 %). The results showed a significant relationship between QOL and marital status and employment status (P < 0.05). Also, results showed a significant relationship between QOL and education levels (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.001), and duration of illness (P = 0.001).The highest and lowest scores were 64 ± 7.1 and 36 ± 5.3 for understanding General Health (GH) and role physical, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that patients with SCI have a moderate health-related QOL Determining the QOL is needed to focus on the strengths and weaknesses of patients with spinal cord injuries. Planning principles is recommended in order to reform the disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moghimian
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fahimeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cheraghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Students' Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohammadnejad
keywords: Iran; Quality of Life; Questionnaire; Spinal Cord Injuries