Psychosocial impact of wheelchair usage on individuals with mobility disability in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Methods: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional survey. People w ho have been independent users of wheelchair for a minimum of six months prior to the study were recruited from centres for people with disabilities in Ibadan, Nigeria into the study. A profile of their use of the device was documented and the psychosocial impact of wheelchair was assessed using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p = 0.05. Results: Sixty consenting individuals with mobility disability participated in this study. Their mean age was 38.7±14.1 years. Majority (90%) were manual wheelchair users and two-thirds (63.3%) had been using the wheelchair for < five years. Approximately a third of the participants use their wheelchairs occasionally. There was no significant difference (p=0.26) in the psychosocial impact of wheelchair usage between male and female users.