Activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by people with stroke in Musanze district in Rwanda.

BACKGROUND Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability. Information regarding the limitations in activity and participation experienced by patients with stroke in a specific setting such as Musanze district in Rwanda would assist to develop the rehabilitation programmes that would take into consideration the functional challenges experienced post stroke. OBJECTIVE To explore the activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by people with stroke in Musanze district in Rwanda. METHODS A qualitative phenomenological approach using in-depth face-to-face interviews with 10 participants was employed to gather the data that was analyzed using a qualitative thematic approach. RESULTS The themes that arose as activity limitations included limitations in walking, self care, and domestic life activities. The themes related to participation restrictions as expressed by the participants were inability to return to previous occupation, decreased social interactions and inability to participate in religious activities. CONCLUSION The current study findings highlight the need for interventions to improve the functional status of stroke survivors.