Exploring the impact of wheelchair design on user function in a rural South African setting
Date
2015-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Background: Wheelchairs provide mobility that can enhance function and community integration. Function in a wheelchair is influenced by wheelchair design.
Objectives: To explore the impact of wheelchair design on user function and the variables that guided wheelchair prescription in the study setting.
Method: A mixed-method, descriptive design using convenience sampling was implemented. Quantitative data were collected from 30 wheelchair users using the functioning every day with a Wheelchair Scale and a Wheelchair Specification Checklist. Qualitative data were collected from ten therapists who prescribed wheelchairs to these users, through interviews. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify relationships, and content analysis was undertaken to identify emerging themes in qualitative data.
Results: Wheelchairs with urban designs were issued to 25 (83%) participants. Wheelchair size, fit, support and functional features created challenges concerning transport, operating the wheelchair, performing personal tasks, and indoor and outdoor mobility. Users using wheelchairs designed for use in semi-rural environments achieved significantly better scores regarding the appropriateness of the prescribed wheelchair than those using wheelchairs designed for urban use (p = <0.01). Therapists prescribed the basic, four-wheel folding frame design most often because of a lack of funding, lack of assessment, lack of skills and user choice.
Conclusion: Issuing urban type wheelchairs to users living in rural settings might have a negative effect on users’ functional outcomes. Comprehensive assessments, further training and research, on long term cost and quality of life implications, regarding provision of a suitable wheelchair versus a cheaper less suitable option is recommended.
Description
CITATION: Visagie, S., Duffield, S. & Unger, M. 2015. Exploring the impact of wheelchair design on user function in a rural South African setting. African Journal of Disability, 4(1):1-8, doi:10.4102/ajod.v4i1.171.
The original publication is available at http://www.ajod.org
The original publication is available at http://www.ajod.org
Keywords
Wheelchairs -- South Africa, People with disabilities, South Africa -- Rural conditions
Citation
Visagie, S., Duffield, S. & Unger, M. 2015. Exploring the impact of wheelchair design on user function in a rural South African setting. African Journal of Disability, 4(1):1-8, doi:10.4102/ajod.v4i1.171