Users’ Satisfaction with Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistive Devices in  the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A Cross-sectional Study

Jo Durham; Vanphanom Sychareun; Phonevilay Santisouk; Kongmany Chaleunvong

doi:10.5463/dcid.v27i3.553

Users’ Satisfaction with Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistive Devices in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A Cross-sectional Study

Authors

Jo Durham Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Queensland
Vanphanom Sychareun Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane
Phonevilay Santisouk Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane
Kongmany Chaleunvong Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v27i3.553

Keywords:

User satisfaction, prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, QUEST 2.0, low-income country, Lao PDR

Abstract

Purpose: User satisfaction with assistive devices is a predictor of use and an important outcome measure. This study evaluated client satisfaction with prosthetic and orthotic assistive devices and services in three provinces in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Method: A cross-sectional study was done, using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire. The sample was drawn from the client register of three of the five Rehabilitation Centres in the country which are under the Ministry of Health’s Centre for Medical Rehabilitation. Clients were eligible if they had received their device in the 12 months prior to the study. Based on the number of registered clients, the sample size was calculated as 274 with a 95% confidence interval, with the final sample N = 266. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also conducted (N = 34).

Results: Most of the assistive devices were in use at the time of the survey and were reported to be in good condition (n = 177, 66.5%). The total mean score for satisfaction (services and device combined) was 3.80 (SD 0.55). Statistically significant differences were observed in satisfaction between gender and location of residence. Effectiveness and comfort were rated as the two most important factors when using a device; at the same time, these were the most common reasons for dissatisfaction and sub-optimal use.

Conclusion and Implications: Clients were quite satisfied with the assistive device and services provided, yet many reported barriers to optimal device use and difficulties in accessing follow-up services. There is a need to examine how prosthetic and orthotic devices can be improved further for better comfort and ambulation on uneven ground in low-resource contexts and to address access barriers.

Author Biographies

Jo Durham, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Queensland

Jo Durham, PhD has been involved in programs designed to mitigate the effect of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Lao PDR since 2000. Her current research focuses on identifying and finding solutions to specific issues that people with disabilities and marginalised populations face in accessing healthcare and other public services. This also includes design and evaluation of different methods of service delivery.

Vanphanom Sychareun, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane

Vanphanom Sychareun, MD, PhD is the Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR. She is involved in public health research and programme evaluation projects in Lao PDR, including those that focus on unexploded ordnance (UXO) survivors and UXO risk assessment of vulnerable populations.

Phonevilay Santisouk, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane

Phonevilai Santisouk, MD, works at the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR. She has been involved in numerous research projects and evaluations of health services, especially for vulnerable populations.

Kongmany Chaleunvong, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane

Kongmany Chaluenvong, PhD is a statistician who works at the Faculty of Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Health Sciences.

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Published

2016-11-14

How to Cite

Durham J, Sychareun V, Santisouk P, Chaleunvong K. Users’ Satisfaction with Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistive Devices in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A Cross-sectional Study. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2016 Nov. 14 [cited 2024 May 17];27(3):24-4. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/230

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Issue

Vol. 27 No. 3 (2016): Autumn 2016

Section

Original Research Articles

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July 31, 2023

We are pleased to inform you that the Disability, CBR, and Inclusive Development Journal (DCIDJ) has moved from the Liliane Foundation (https://dcidj.org) to the University of Gondar (https://dcidj.uog.edu.et). The University of Gondar is the only university that owns the CBR Program in Ethiopia. The CBR program was established in 2005 in partnership with Light for the World and Save the Children to alleviate various problems faced by persons with disabilities due to lack of access to rehabilitation services and community awareness. The University of Gondar (Ethiopia) and Queen’s University (Canada), supported by the Mastercard Foundation, have developed a 10-year partnership to advance inclusive higher education for young people with disabilities, develop new occupational therapy programs, and advance research for inclusive education and community-based rehabilitation in Africa. Hence, the University of Gondar is an excellent fit to manage the journal as it has extensive experience in the field of disability, CBR, and inclusive development.

The DCIDJ is an online journal with a 33-year-old history of publishing research in the broad field of rehabilitation and disability inclusion. It is an open-access journal that aims to provide a platform for high-quality and innovative research that includes a diverse range of perspectives, including academics, researchers, scholars, and postgraduate students. The journal covers topics such as disability rights, inclusive education, community-based rehabilitation, disability and development, and more. The journal is a quarterly publication that will be available online in four issues per year. We would like to acknowledge the good relationship with the Liliane Foundation and Enablement who chose the University of Gondar as a sustainable base as this university is one of the leading universities in Ethiopia in the field of disability, development, and rehabilitation. This is a positive step towards enhancing the dissemination and impact of research and knowledge in the CBR/CBID community.