People with upper-limb loss living in urban Uganda: experiences and expectations regarding the potential provision of prosthetic devices and service delivery.

Abstract

In Uganda and similar low-resource settings, little is known about the lived experiences and expectations of people with upper limb loss, particularly regarding access to prosthetic devices. This gap limits the development of prosthetics that address both functional and psychosocial needs. This study aimed to explore experiences and expectations related to prosthetic access and to inform contextually appropriate prosthetic design in urban Uganda. A pragmatic qualitative study using a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) framework was conducted. Seventeen participants, recruited through convenience sampling, took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed descriptively and thematically to identify key issues related to access and design needs. Only three of the 17 participants had prior experience with a prosthesis. Four themes were identified: (1) psychosocial experiences, including stigma and aesthetic concerns; (2) activities of daily living, with self-care a key priority; (3) design requirements, highlighting functionality, appearance, and reliability; and (4) service provision, highlighting gaps in access, training, and user engagement. Significant barriers to prosthetic access were identified. Findings highlight the need for culturally relevant, user-informed prosthetic solutions to improve service provision in urban Uganda.