Locally manufactured wheelchairs in Tanzania – are users satisfied?

Abstract

Background: The government of Tanzania created opportunity for the production of wheelchairs that would be appropriate to the local needs and environment. Objectives: The study assessed the extent to which the wheelchairs met the activity and participation needs of the users, as well as the users' level of satisfaction with the provision, repair and maintenance of these wheelchairs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analytical design was utilized to collect data through the administration of a questionnaire among 75 adult wheelchair users. Results: Participants had used wheelchairs for an average period of 9.3 years. Most participants (61%) had sustained spinal cord injuries, and used three-wheeler chairs (76%). More than 90% reported that their wheelchairs positively influenced their activity and participation needs, and 85% were satisfied with their ability to carry out daily activities. Participants expressed satisfaction with the durability of the wheelchairs (89%), and the professional services received (71%), but not with follow-up services (77%). There was difference in satisfaction with features of 3-wheeler and 4-wheeler rigid chairs (p=0.030). Conclusion:The wheelchairs positively impacted participants' activity and participation needs. Participants were satisfied with the features of the wheelchairs but not with follow-up services. The concerns of dissatisfied users should be addressed.

Wheelchair User’s Satisfaction and its Impact on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in People with Spinal Cord Injury

“…Another similarity was female users being more satisfied with the wheelchair compared to men. In Tanzania the reported satisfaction levels with locally manufactured wheelchairs were higher compared to this study where customized wheelchairs were provided that can be contributed to the poor economic status of Tanzania [30]. Similar results were also found in a Brazilian study where satisfaction levels with a rigid frame wheelchair design were reported to be 4.2 (high satisfaction level) [31].…”

Bridging the Divide: Exploring the use of digital and physical technology to aid mobility impaired people living in an informal settlement

“…Without regular maintenance/repair services, wheelchairs in developing countries usually fail more quickly than their expected life span, which leads to adverse effects on social participation [71]. While more than half of participants in Tanzania were satisfied with the features of the wheelchairs, few were happy with follow-up services [3]. Similarly, a study in Zimbabwean found that wheelchair users showed high levels of dissatisfaction with wheelchair features, services, and the majority reported that wheelchairs did not provide effective mobility [78].…”

Análise Da Correlação Entre Independência Funcional E Satisfação Com a Tecnologia Assistiva Em Pessoas Com Lesão Medular

“…A tendência de mudança da epidemiologia da lesão medular traumática diz respeito ao aumento gradual da idade média das pessoas, uma proporção maior de lesões relacionadas a quedas da própria altura e aumento das lesões cervicais e incompletas, especialmente entre os mais idosos (BÁRBARA-BATALLER et al, 2018;KUDO et al, 2019;MIRZAEVA et al, 2019;MITCHELL et al, 2020;SMITH et al, 2019). Estes estudos sugerem a necessidade de uma avaliação de risco multidimensional e intervenção multifatorial, especialmente para reduzir quedas e lesão medular em idosos.…”

“…Na avaliação de satisfação com a TA verificou-se que o nível de satisfação com a cadeira de rodas atingiu uma média maior que a prestação de serviço. Estes resultados estão alinhados com os dados apresentados por um estudo realizado na Tanzânia, quando os participantes ficaram satisfeitos com as características do recurso de TA, mas não com a prestação de serviços (AMOSUN; NDOSI; BUCHANAN, 2016). A TA impactou de forma positiva as necessidades de atividade e participação social (AMOSUN; NDOSI; BUCHANAN, 2016).…”