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CC BY 4.0 · WFNS Journal 2025; 02(01): e95-e102
DOI: 10.1055/a-2665-2639
Original Article

Feasibility of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures following Spinal Injuries in Tanzania

Romani Roman Sabas
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
,
Julie Woodfield
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Och Spine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
,
Chibuikem A. Ikwuegbuenyi
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Och Spine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
,
Laurent Lemeri Mchome
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
,
Zarina Shabhay
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
,
Magalie Cadieux
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Och Spine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
3   Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States
,
Abel Makubi
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
,
Halinder S. Mangat
4   Department of Neurology, Division of Neurocritical Care, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States
5   Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States
,
Roger Härtl
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Och Spine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States
,
Hamisi Kimaro Shabani
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar es Salam, Tanzania
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Abstract

Objective

Traumatic spinal injuries are common in resource-limited environments and cause severe consequences such as pain, weakness, numbness, impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function, financial burdens, and psychological issues. In-person follow-up is challenging due to financial constraints, physical disability, and limited transportation. Our study aimed to explore the feasibility of using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following spinal injuries in Tanzania.

Methods

From March to June 2023, we prospectively recruited 50 consecutive inpatients with traumatic spinal injuries at Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute in Tanzania. We recorded mobile phone and internet access and administered the Kiswahili-validated version of the SF-8 quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire. We compared completion rates between in-person and electronic versions in-hospital and assessed postdischarge completion for electronic questionnaires.

Results

A total of 50 participants were included (mean age: 33 years [standard deviation, SD: 14], 43/50 [86%] male). Most had access to a mobile phone (47/50, 94%), and 27/50 (54%) had access to a smartphone. Only 10 participants (20%) completed the electronic PROM. Reasons for lack of completion were: no internet-enabled device (23/50, 46%), internet connectivity (9/50, 18%), unfamiliarity to the electronic forms (5/50, 10%), and lack of motivation to respond (3/50, 6%). All participants completed the in-person SF-8. Post-injury scores were lower than those reported pre-injury (Physical Component Summary Mean: 37(SD:14) v 95(SD:8), Mental Component Summary Mean: 52(SD:19) vs.98(SD:4)).

Conclusion

Electronic PROMs following spinal injuries have low completion rates in Tanzania. In-person inpatient QoL assessment highlighted the significant impact of spinal injuries, emphasizing the importance of developing methods of QoL assessment.

Keywords

spinal injuries - quality of life - feasibility - electronic questionnaires - Tanzania - Patient Reported Outcome Measures

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are accessible upon reasonable request from the corresponding author. To maintain compliance with ethical and privacy guidelines, the data cannot be openly shared. The research team will carefully review requests for data access to ensure adherence to relevant regulations and the protection of participant confidentiality.


Ethical Approval Statement

This study was approved for ethical clearance by the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Research and Ethics Committee (ref: DE.274/298/01X/39) and approved to take place by the management at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute Department of Neurosurgery. Verbal consent was gained for the in-person questionnaires. If participants reported they could complete the electronic questionnaires, they gave written consent on the electronic form.


Supplementary Material



Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. August 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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