Quality of wheelchair services as perceived by users in rural Bangalore district, India: a cross-sectional survey

Figures & data

Figure 1. Conceptual framework for the evaluation of wheelchair services.

Table 1. Inclusion criteria used for sample collection.

Have locomotor disability (either acquired or congenital)

Have received a wheelchair through services of the Bangalore Baptist Hospital or other health providers

Have used a wheelchair for at least 6 months

Have no visual, speech or mental disabilities that prevents understanding the questions asked

In case of visual, speech or mental disability the need to have at least one caretaker/relative/legal guardian that provides care, or is legally responsible for the individual on a daily basis.

Living in their home environment for the majority of time, thus not institutionalized

Figure 2. Hospital style WC.

Figure 3. Rough terrain WC.

Figure 4. Tricycle.

Figure 5. Paediatric WC.

Table 2. Demographic characteristics of the sample.

Demographic	n	%
Gender
Male	34	68
Female	16	32
Age
<25	7	14
25–50	25	56
<50	15	30
Cause of disability
Cerebral palsy	5	10
Polio	15	32
Amputation	7	14
Spinal cord injury	8	16
Accident	3	6
Hemiparesis	4	8
Congenital birth defect	3	6
Other	4	8
Education
Illiterate	11	22
Primary education	26	52
Secondary education	10	20
Professional education	3	6
Currently employed
Yes	18	36
No	32	64
Previously employed
Yes	18	36
No	32	64
Marital status
Single	25	50
Married	20	20
Widow	5	5
Household size/type
< =5	31	62
>5	19	38
Joint	34	68
Nuclear	16	32
Caste
ST	6	12
SC	3	6
OBC	12	24
BC	2	4
General	7	17
Unknown	20	40
Wheelchair source
Government	34	68
Private	16	32
Wheelchair usage
Self-use	36	72
Proxy-use	14	28

Table 3. QUEST scores per question for private-obtained wheelchairs.

	1. Not satisfied at all		2. Not very satisfied		3. More or less satisfied		4. Quite satisfied		5. Very satisfied
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Q. 1 Dimensions	–	–	–	–	2	–	2	2	5	5
Q. 2 Weight	–	–	–	–	2	–	3	1	4	6
Q. 3 Ease in adjusting	–	1	2	–	3	1	1	3	3	2
Q. 4 Safe and secure	–	1	–	–	1	–	5	1	3	5
Q. 5 Durability	1	–	2	–	2	–	1	1	3	5
Q. 6 Easy to use	–	–	1	–	2	2	1	–	5	5
Q. 7 Comfortable	–	–	–	–	3	–	3	–	3	7
Q. 8 Effective	1	–	1	–	3	–	1	1	3	6
Q. 9 Service delivery	–	–	–	–	–	1	3	–	4	5
Q. 10 Repairs and servicing	2	–	2	4	3	–	1	2	1	1
Q. 11 Professional services	–	–	–	–	1	1	1	–	4	5
Q. 12 Follow-up services	3	–	1	1	1	3	–	–	3	3

Table 4. QUEST scores per question for government-issued wheelchairs.

	1. Not satisfied at all		2. Not very satisfied		3. More or less satisfied		4. Quite satisfied		5. Very satisfied
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Q. 1 Dimensions	–	1	2	1	2	3	9	1	12	3
Q. 2 Weight	1	1	–	–	3	3	7	1	14	4
Q. 3 Ease in adjusting	2	3	2	3	9	3	8	–	4	–
Q. 4 Safe and secure	3	2	1	1	2	1	8	3	11	2
Q. 5 Durability	3	1	3	3	3	–	4	–	12	5
Q. 6 Easy to use	5	2	1	1	4	1	6	1	9	4
Q. 7 Comfortable	–	1	4	2	4	–	4	1	13	5
Q. 8 Effective	3	3	–	–	1	1	8	3	13	2
Q. 9 Service delivery	2	2	1	–	2	–	4	–	16	7
Q. 10 Repairs and servicing	3	3	–	3	8	–	9	1	5	2
Q. 11 Professional services	–	–	–	–	1	–	6	2	18	7
Q. 12 Follow-up services	7	6	2	–	4	1	6	–	6	2

Table 5. CHART-SF outcomes.

	Physical independence		Cognitive independence		Mobility		Occupation		Social integration		Economic self sufficiency
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Average	98.87	95.97	90.65	73.38	83.37	77.81	49.42	30.70	84.82	78.78	61.57	58.04
Maximum	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	88.57	88.02
Minimum	93.00	76.00	0.00	0.00	45.50	24.00	0.00	0.00	37.00	25.00	−16.61	3.60

Table 6. Wheelchair Skill Test – Questionnaire outcome.

	WST-Q Total		WST-Q Capacity		WST-Q Confidence		WST-Q Performance
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Average	45.25	53.69	45.72	53.94	46.19	54.72	43.85	52.42
Maximum	80.56	78.13	80.56	78.13	83.33	80.81	77.78	78.13
Minimum	0.00	15.82	0.00	13.13	0.00	16.67	0.00	12.12