In Sierra Leone, West Africa, there are many people with disabilities in need of rehabilitation
services after a long civil war.
Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of prosthetic and
orthotic service delivery in Sierra Leone from the local staff’s perspective.
Method: Fifteen prosthetic and orthotic technicians working at all the rehabilitation centres
providing prosthetic and orthotic services in Sierra Leone were interviewed. The interviews
were transcribed and subjected to latent content analysis.
Results: One main theme emerged: Sense of inability to deliver high-quality prosthetic and
orthotic services. This main theme was generated from eight sub-themes: Desire for
professional development; Appraisals of work satisfaction and norms; Patients neglected by
family; Limited access to the prosthetic and orthotic services available; Problems with
materials and machines; Low public awareness concerning disabilities; Marginalisation in
society; Low priority on the part of government.
Conclusions: The findings illustrated traditional beliefs about the causes of disability and that
the public’s attitudes need to change in order to include and value people with disabilities.
Support from international organizations was considered necessary as well as educating more
prosthetic and orthotic staff to a higher level.