Swallowing difficulties among traumatic brain injury patients in Bangladesh

Abstract

Aim: To determine the number of people having swallowing difficulties among traumatic brain injury patient. Methods: This is a quantitative type of cross-sectional survey study where 117 samples were assigned purposively from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). The Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) was used for the study. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical analysis (SPSS = Statistics package for social science) method. Results: On an average, most of the participants 90.60% (106) were males and other participants 9.40% (11) were females. The maximum numbers of participants 25.6% (30) were in the age range 18–27 years. The majority numbers of participants 33.30% (39) were at secondary level education. The maximum numbers of respondents 22.20% (26) found were day laborer (driver, rickshaw puller, and masons). Most of the participants 63.20% (74) had injuries in 0–2 months earlier. Among 117 participants, 76 (64.95%) participants had no swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and 41 (35.05%) participants had swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Conclusions: Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) is a common problem in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Researchers explored the prevalence of swallowing difficulty among TBI patients. In this study, among 117 participants most of the participants 90.60% (106) were males and 9.40% (11) participants were females. So, swallowing difficulty is common in TBI patients who are associated with other condition of swallowing. According to SDQ score among 117 participants, (35.05%) participants had swallowing difficulties. So, TBI patients are vulnerable for presence of swallowing difficulties.