Pattanakuhar S.Kammuang-lue P.Komaratat N.Chotiyarnwong C.Kovindha A.Gemperli A.Mahidol University2024-02-082024-02-082024-01-01Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine (2024)10790268https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95867Objectives: To determine whether attending an SCI-specialized rehabilitation facility (SSRF) is independently associated with having fewer secondary health conditions (SHCs) in middle-income country contexts. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Four rehabilitation facilities in Thailand (one SSRF and three non-SSRF). Methods: Data from a Thai arm of the International Spinal Cord Injury Community Survey (InSCI) were analyzed. SHCs occurring within the last three months were evaluated using the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Condition Scale. A causal diagram was applied to create a multivariable regression model to determine the independent effect of attending in the SSRF on having SHC as a single condition and as a sum score. Results: Three hundred and thirteen individuals with chronic SCI were included in this study. Two hundred and nineteen participants (70%) were recruited from the SSRF. Being recruited from the SSRF was an independent negative correlating factor of the SHC sum score with an unstandardized coefficient of −1.12 (95% CI: −2.00–0.24). Being recruited from the SSRF was also an independent negative correlating factor of having bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and pressure ulcer SHC with an odds ratio of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.16–0.59), 0.43 (95% CI: 0.22–0.84), and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24–0.89), respectively. Conclusion: Attending an SSRF was significantly associated with having fewer SHCs, specifically, bladder dysfunctions, sexual dysfunctions, and pressure ulcers. These results suggest the importance of having SSRF in middle-income countries for delivering effective care to people with SCI and standardized education to health care providers.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1080/10790268.2023.22896902-s2.0-8518302307120457723