A path analysis of the healthcare utilization and services satisfaction among community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury in Malaysia

PURPOSE: To explore healthcare utilization patterns and healthcare services satisfaction among individuals with spinal cord injury in Malaysia.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized the International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) Community Survey and involved 8 hospitals and 1 spinal cord injury organization. A total of 285 participants met the inclusion criteria. Subsequently, 6/11 sections of the InSCI questionnaire were analysed through a path analysis.

RESULTS: The 3 most utilized healthcare providers reported were physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists (76.5%), physiotherapists (36.8%), and primary care physicians (27.4%). The top 3 most severe health problems reported were sexual dysfunction, muscle spasm and spasticity, and contractures. Healthcare services satisfaction was high. Health problems predicted healthcare utilization (β = 0.443), while activity limitation and participation restriction predicted healthcare services satisfaction (β = -0.202). The activity limitation and participation restriction in male participants was moderated by the spinal cord injury severity (B = 2.330, p