Exploring the impact of wheelchair design on user function in a rural South African setting
| dc.contributor.author | Visagie, Surona | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Duffield, Svenje | en_ZA |
| dc.contributor.author | Unger, Mariaan | en_ZA |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-05-10T13:38:43Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-05-10T13:38:43Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2015 | |
| dc.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. | en_ZA |
| dc.description | Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund. | en_ZA |
| dc.description | The original publication is available at http://www.ajod.org | en_ZA |
| dc.description.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. | en_ZA |
| dc.description.uri | http://www.ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/171 | |
| dc.description.version | Publisher's version | en_ZA |
| dc.format.extent | 8 pages | |
| dc.identifier.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 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2226-7220 (online) | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2223-9170 (print) | |
| dc.identifier.other | doi: 10.4102/ajod.v4i1.171 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/98991 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_ZA | en_ZA |
| dc.publisher | AOSIS Publishing | en_ZA |
| dc.rights.holder | Authors retain copyright | en_ZA |
| dc.subject | Wheelchairs -- South Africa -- Design and construction | en_ZA |
| dc.title | Exploring the impact of wheelchair design on user function in a rural South African setting | en_ZA |
| dc.type | Article | en_ZA |