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.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 1998 |
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| Original language | English |
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