Experiences of providing prosthetic and orthotic services in Sierra Leone – the local staff’s perspective

Abstract

In Sierra Leone, West Africa, there are many people with disabilities in need of rehabilitation services after a long civil war. Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of prosthetic and orthotic service delivery in Sierra Leone from the local staff’s perspective. Method: Fifteen prosthetic and orthotic technicians working at all the rehabilitation centres providing prosthetic and orthotic services in Sierra Leone were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to latent content analysis. Results: One main theme emerged: sense of inability to deliver high-quality prosthetic and orthotic services. This main theme was generated from eight sub-themes: Desire for professional development; appraisals of work satisfaction and norms; patients neglected by family; limited access to the prosthetic and orthotic services available; problems with materials and machines; low public awareness concerning disabilities; marginalisation in society and low priority on the part of government. Conclusions: The findings illustrated traditional beliefs about the causes of disability and that the public’s attitude needs to change to include and value people with disabilities. Support from international organisations was considered necessary as well as educating more prosthetic and orthotic staff to a higher level.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• There is a need for educating more prosthetic and orthotic staff to a category I or II level in Sierra Leone.

• There is a need to put a greater focus on making materials available for the fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic devices and also on the transport for patients as to increase access to prosthetic and orthotic services.

• At the societal level, both traditional beliefs about the causes of disability and the public attitudes need to change to include and assign value to people with disabilities.

• Support from international organisations is needed to provide effective rehabilitation services.

Keywords::

• Africa
• assistive device
• assistive technology
• developing country
• low-income country
• orthotic
• prosthetic
• Sierra Leone

Declaration of Interest: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by The School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Swedish Society for Prosthetists and Orthotists (SOIF) and Sparbanken Alfas Scholarship.