Impact of Health Education on the Prevention and Self-Management of Secondary Conditions among People with Mobility Impairment in Limbe Southwest Region Cameroon

People with disabilities are exposed to a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that include pain, depression, pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections as well as lifestyle changes because of their condition and because of the physical and psychological barriers they face in life. The study aimed to measure the impact of a health education intervention on the prevention and self-management of secondary conditions among people with mobility impairment. This was a quasi-experimental intervention study in which people with mobility impairment received health education on self- care management and prevention of secondary conditions and were evaluated six months later. Quantitative data were collected and compared with the baseline study using the Chi-square test. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 27. Study findings showed there was a significant improvement in self-efficacy as 24 (85.71%) of the participants had good self-efficacy post-intervention (χ2=42.55, p<0.001). There was an improvement in symptoms. Pain severity improved to mild post- intervention (χ 2=43.08, p<0.001). Depression levels dropped from high (67.68%) to low (96.43%) (χ 2=47.47, p<0.001). Of the 35.7% of participants with pressure ulcers pre-intervention, 3.57% had pressure ulcers post-intervention (χ 2=9.16, p=0.002). Findings also showed a significant reduction in the risks of developing secondary conditions. After the intervention, only 1 (3.57%) had a high risk of developing pressure ulcers (χ 2=62.26, p<0.001). Healthcare costs were reduced from high to low post-intervention (χ 2=56.00, p<0.001) in all participants. Health-related quality of life improved significantly from fair 14.36% and poor 85.7% to good in all participants after the intervention (χ 2=68.37, p<0.001). The study findings suggest that self-management interventions are an effective way of preventing and managing secondary conditions. The findings showed significant improvements in symptoms, health-related quality of life, and reduced healthcare costs.