Wellbeing of persons with disabilities using lower limb assistive devices devices in low-income countries

To understand what is required to improve prosthetic and orthotic provision and services for persons with disabilities in low-income countries, it is of interest to investigate their well-being in terms of quality of life, access to mobility, education, health, rehabilitation, work and employment and their experiences of attitudes in the society.

Data was collected using WHOQOL questionnaires measuring quality of life from 277 participants in India. In addition to this, individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 participants in Nepal and 12 participants in Sierra Leone. Statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis was applied to the data.

In India participants with disabilities scored significantly lower than the persons without disabilities in three of the four domains; physical health, psychological and environmental domain. In Sierra Leone and Nepal participants were limited by poverty that affects access to education, employment and health care and wanted increased independence. Prosthetic and orthotic devices are vital for people with physical disability and offer increased dignity. In Sierra Leone, traditional beliefs have a negative impact on people with physical disabilities and are a cause for discrimination. In Nepal participants stressed that access to education and vocational training had the potential to improve their living situation.