Level of Satisfaction with Assistive Devices among the Beneficiaries of Meththa Rehabilitation Foundation

Abstract

Background: NGOs in Sri Lanka provide Mobility Assistive Devices for people with Disability. No studies have been conducted to identify the level of satisfaction among the assistive device users in Sri Lanka. Satisfaction can be affected by several socio demographic factors. Objectives: The two main Objectives are to identify the level of satisfaction with the device's features and explore the level of satisfaction with the characteristics of the organisation's service. The overall level of satisfaction can be derived from the combination of these two objectives. Finally, the study aims to assess the association of the overall level of satisfaction with the sociodemographic factors: Age, Gender, employment status, family support, environmental accessibility, economic status, level of assistance needed for ADL, and duration of use per day. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) tool is used to assess the level of satisfaction. Data was collected from 299 participants who were selected by stratified random sampling. Multiple linear regression and chi-square tests were used to analyze the association between satisfaction and sociodemographic factors. Results and Discussion: The mean satisfaction score for the device was 70.66, while the service scored 71.77, resulting in an overall mean satisfaction score of 71.03. The Mean satisfaction falls between "more or less satisfied" and "quite satisfied" with the assistive devices. Family support and environmental accessibility significantly predict overall satisfaction (p<0.05). Age, gender, and employability status were not significant predictors of satisfaction with assistive devices (p > 0.05). The duration of assistive device use (Gamma = -0.264) and the level of assistance needed to do ADL (Gamma = -0.529) were significantly associated with the level of satisfaction in a negative direction (P < 0.005). Conclusion: The overall mean level of satisfaction falls within the moderate to high range, between 3 and 4 on a Likert scale (percentage score derived from Likert scale 71.03 = Likert score 3.79). Comfort, follow-up services, and weight are the three most important factors for assistive device users. Family support, environmental accessibility, duration of use, and the assistance needed for ADL affect satisfaction with Assistive devices. These factors must be considered in rehabilitation services with an assistive device. Keywords: Satisfaction, Assistive technology, Mobility Assistive Devices, Rehabilitation, Disability