Browsing by Author "Vetra, Anita"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The family needs of parents of preschool children with cerebral palsy : The impact of child's gross motor and communications functions
    (2014) Bertule, Dace; Vetra, Anita; Department of Rehabilitation
    Background and objective: An understanding of the needs of families of preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP) is of essential importance if efficient and cost-effective services are to be provided to them. The aims of this study were to identify the most frequently expressed needs of families with preschool children with CP; differences in the amount and types of family needs based on the child's gross motor function and communication function level; and the impact of the child's gross motor function and communication function level on the type and amount of family needs. Materials and methods: A total of 227 parents of preschool children with CP completed a modified version of the Family Needs Survey and a demographic questionnaire. Children's gross motor function level and communication function level was classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), respectively. Results: The total number of family needs differed based on GMFCS and CFCS levels. Children's GMFCS and CFCS level were not significant predictors of overall family needs (adjusted R2 = 0.163). In this model the GMFCS level of children did not account for the total number of family needs, while the CFCS level did. Conclusions: Child's limitations in terms of communication and gross motor functions must be taken into consideration when planning services for families with preschool children with CP.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Living in Latvia after stroke : The association between functional, social and personal factors and the level of self-perceived disability - A cross-sectional study
    (2016-06-01) Berzina, Guna; Smilškalne, Baiba; Vetra, Anita; Sunnerhagen, Katharina Stibrant; Department of Rehabilitation
    Objective To investigate how functional, social and personal factors are associated with self-perceived level of disability in the chronic phase of stroke in a Latvian stroke population. The consequences of stroke can vary greatly and often leads to long-term disability that, according to the WHO definitions, depends on the interaction between the person and his/her context. Design Cross-sectional study with retrospective data gathering. Setting Community-dwelling persons who received specialised in-patient rehabilitation after stroke in Latvia. Participants Of 600 persons after stroke who were identified through hospital register and selected for the study, 255 were included in the analysis. Primary and secondary outcome measures The medical information and discharge data of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was extracted from medical records. Participants filled out a questionnaire on sociodemographic information and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), either in Latvian or Russian, depending on their wish when contacted for their oral agreement to participate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to find a model that best explains the variance in WHODAS 2.0 scores. Results The models explained 23-43.5% of variance in outcomes. The best explained WHODAS 2.0 domains were 'mobility' and 'self-care'. The significant factors were level of independence in 'self-care', 'locomotion' and 'communication' according to FIM, as well as working status, time since rehabilitation, age, gender, living alone or in family and preferred language. Conclusions Functional, social and personal factors are of similar importance when explaining self-perceived disability in the chronic phase of stroke. Some, but not all, of the factors are modifiable by the healthcare system. Therefore, a complex approach and involvement of medical, social and political systems is needed.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A profile of traumatic spinal cord injury and medical complications in Latvia
    (2017-12-01) Nulle, Anda; Tjurina, Uljana; Erts, Renars; Vetra, Anita; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Study design: A single centre retrospective study. Objectives: To collect data and analyse the epidemiological profile of traumatic spinal cord injury and its medical complications during the subacute rehabilitation period. Setting: Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Programme of the National Rehabilitation Centre, 'Vaivari', Jurmala, Latvia. Methods: Information was collected in 2015 from the medical records of 134 patients with a traumatic spinal cord injury admitted for primary rehabilitation between January 2011 and December 2014. Results: During this period, the median age of patients with a traumatic spinal cord injury was 39.5 years, and the male to female ratio was 5:1. The leading causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries were falls (37%), road traffic accidents (29%), sport and leisure activities (19%), other cause (8%), unidentified causes (5%), and assault (2%). The most common medical complications were pain (77%), spasticity (48%), urinary tract infections (45%), pressure ulcers (25%), and orthostatic hypotension (14%). Conclusions: Preventive measures in Latvia should be aimed primarily to address falls, road traffic accidents, and sport and leisure activities in the young male population. Medical complications are varied, and they are an important factor following traumatic spinal cord injury. The results obtained in this study comply with the data from studies in countries of the Baltic and North Sea regions of Europe.