Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Measurement of the Performance of Wheelchairs by the Caregivers of Disabled Children in Jamaica

Authors

Elizabeth J. Payne, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Elizabeth J. Payne. 1998. Measurement of the Performance of Wheelchairs by the Caregivers of Disabled Children in Jamaica. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (162)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/162.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether caregivers of disabled children in Jamaica perceived the wheelchairs provided by a community service project as a satisfactory and beneficial in assisting with caring for their child.

Subjects: Total population was 24 caregivers of disabled children who had been provided with a wheelchair between 1994 to 1996. The sample included 20 of the caregivers.

Methodology: Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Chi square and Spearman's rho statistical tests were used with alpha set at .05. The survey instrument was developed by Kohn et al. and used in a similar study on wheelchairs.

Results: Ninety-five percent of the children were still using the wheelchairs. Eighty-four percent of the caregivers replied that they were satisfied with the function overall of the wheelchair (X²=22.21, df=3, p≤.05). This was in spite of 57% of the wheelchairs requiring a repair. A total of 42% of the children achieved more independence with feeding/eating activities (X²=11.95, df=2, p≤.05).

Conclusion: There was a high rate of positive responses received by the survey indicating that the caregivers found the wheelchairs satisfactory for assisting with child care. This would suggest that the community service project had provided a beneficial and satisfactory service to the caregivers.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy