Mobility and satisfaction with lower-limb prostheses and orthoses among users in Sierra Leone:
a cross-sectional study
Sammanfattning
OBJECTIVES: To investigate patients’ mobility and satisfaction with their lower-limb prosthetic or
orthotic device and related service delivery in Sierra Leone; to compare groups of patients regarding
type and level of assistive device, gender, area of residence, income; and to identify factors
associated with satisfaction with the assistive device and service.
METHODS: A total of 139 patients answered questionnaires, including the Quebec User Evaluation of
Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire (QUEST 2.0).
RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of assistive devices were in use, but half needed repair. Thirty-three
percent of patients reported pain when using their assistive device. Patients had difficulties or could
not walk at all on: uneven ground (65%); hills (75%); and stairs (66%). Patients were quite satisfied
with their assistive device and the service (mean 3.7 out of 5 in QUEST), but reported 886 problems.
Approximately half of the patients could not access services. In relation to mobility and service
delivery, women, orthotic patients and patients using above-knee assistive devices had the poorest
results. The general condition of the assistive device and patients’ ability to walk on uneven ground
were associated with satisfaction with the assistive devices and service.
CONCLUSION: Patients reported high levels of mobility while using their device although they
experienced pain and difficulties walking on challenging surfaces. Limitations in the effectiveness of
assistive devices and limited access to follow-up services and repairs were issues desired to be
addressed.