Pressure relief behaviour and the prevention of pressure ulcers in wheelchair users in the community.

This study aims to provide an insight into wheelchair users' preventative health behaviours with respect to pressure-relief behaviour, perceived risk and attribution of responsibility for preventative health measures. Wheelchair users who are dependent upon a wheelchair for their indoor and outdoor mobility have a long-term risk of developing a pressure ulcer. In an attempt to lessen the risk they need to perform pressure-relieving movements frequently. The Department of Health currently advises wheelchair users to perform a pressure-relieving movement every 15 minutes. Many wheelchair users responding to this large scale survey reported that although they were physically capable of performing pressure-relieving movements without help, they either did not do them or did not adhere to current advice. Of those who responded, 20.8% moved only once an hour and a further 54.7% moved less often than once an hour. This study is part of a wider study investigating the preventative health behaviours of wheelchair users.