Employing institution: Obafemi Awolowo University
Host institution: Manchester Metropolitan University
Project title:
Building capacity and fostering collaborative approaches to feasibility and implementation research in community-reintegration of stroke survivors in Nigeria.
Dr Marufat completed her PhD degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Ibadan in 2016. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University. Her research interests are centred on the stroke prevention, health outcomes assessment and rehabilitation of stroke patients. She is inspired by the desire to directly impact functional recovery, participation and quality of life of such patients in the home, outdoor and community levels using evidence-based practice and context-specific digital-health interventions.
AREF Fellowship research project
Long-term disability associated with stroke adversely affects normal physical and psychosocial functioning in 114/100,000 to 163/100,000 of the Nigeria population. Unfortunately, limited access to post-stroke rehabilitation care hinders recovery, resulting
in social isolation, and economic dependence. These have necessitated the development of context-specific community reintegration (CR) guideline for stroke patients in Nigeria. The question arising is whether the CR guideline will be feasible; considering factors of patients’ recruitment and retention rates, adherence, acceptability, completion and safety of the guideline; and perceptions of stroke patients and their caregivers using in-depth interview. This study is expected to reveal any uncertainties that should be addressed for successful implementation of the guideline, with possible impact on community participation and socioeconomic burden associated with stroke.
Her fellowship placement involves training to evaluate intervention impacts, clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and service efficiency to build her capacity to implement community reintegration for stroke survivors in Nigeria using the UK community champions programme. The fellowship will also involve training in the Physiotherapy Research Cluster, Creative AR & VR Hub, relevant visits, shadow teaching, and participation in digital health internships. Her home institution will support knowledge transfer and community engagement with available technology.
Quote
“Implementation of community participation of stroke patients and follow-up through tele-rehabilitation is key to improved productivity and better quality of life.”
Dr Marufat expects to start her fellowship in August 2024