Introduction: In developing countries disability is often associated with poverty, which is a result of poor inclusion in education, work, and non-participation in the community. Supportive technology can have a positive socio-economic impact on the lives of people with deficits by improving access to education and thereby helping to achieve multiple goals. Despite of the aforementioned positive results, access to support technology is very limited. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to assess the situation and gather all the available data on the supply of orthotic devices in developing countries. We focused mainly on the availability of orthotic services, patient mobility and satisfaction with orthoses. Methods: The method we used is literature review. To search for literature, we used Google Scholar and Pub Med search engines. We used advanced search option and searched for the keywords: orthotics, assistive technology, orthopaedic devices, developing countries, low income countries, orthotic treatment. We excluded literature with keywords: prosthetics, elderly, diabetes. In addition to those two search engines, we also used the World Health Organization’s website, where we also used advanced search option with the same keywords. Results: Access to rehabilitation depends on the number of appropriately trained professionals who respond to the needs of the population. In order to improve the situation in less developed regions, it is necessary to increase the number of rehabilitation staff at the primary level by investing in more educational programs and promoting practice. Technology that is appropriate for developing countries must be financially accessible and must not visually stand out in the user’s environment. There are various inexpensive technologies for orthotic solutions. One example are traditional metal orthoses, that are often made in Malawi and Sierra Leone, most commonly for polio patients. Under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross, devices are also being made using polypropylene technology. Majority of orthotic and prosthetic patients report that the use of devices helps to improve their mobility. Access to repair and follow-up examinations and services appeared to be extremely important to them. Patients using above-knee orthoses were, in comparison to patients using below-knee orthoses, less satisfied with services. Discussion and conclusion: Using different strategies, international organizations strive to provide suitable and accessible devices to people who need them. Orthotic and prosthetic education should be improved by adapting the contents of educational program, increasing the knowledge of professors, improving access to information and raising awareness of the problem of gender inequality.
|
