LAUSR

ABSTRACT Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects cognitive, behavioral and physical function, influencing community reintegration. Objectives To describe the level of community reintegration and the associated influencing factors post-TBI in South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of patients living with TBI was done, using the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), and the Quality of Life after Brain Injury Overall Score (QOLIBRI-OS). Results Of the 80 participants 54.0% presented with mild TBI. The median (IQR) score of the CIQ, WHODAS 2.0 and QOLIBRI-OS was 22 (7.5)/29, 31(18)/100 and 73 (45.5)/100. There was a moderate inverse relationship between the WHODAS 2.0 and CIQ scores (r = −0.68; p < 0.001) and a moderate positive correlation between the QOLIBRI-OS and CIQ scores (r = 0.54; p < 0.001). The WHODAS 2.0 scores also showed a strong inverse correlation with the QOLIBRI-OS scores (r = −0.76; p < 0.001). Conclusion The participants had high levels of functioning and low levels of disability, both of which were found to be in tandem with high CIQ scores and generally good quality of life. Post-TBI patients are capable of achieving good community integration provided they attain high levels of functioning.