Assistive technology usage, unmet needs and barriers to access: a sub-population-based study in India

BACKGROUND: Assistive technology (AT) is essential to minimize functional limitations. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of needs, met and unmet needs for AT, and barriers to accessing AT among a subnational population in India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in eight districts, representing four zones of India, using the WHO Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) tool. The tool was administered by trained staff using read aloud technique. Multi-stage cluster random sampling was used, as well as the probability proportional to size, to select smaller administrative units from the larger ones. FINDINGS: In total, 8486 participants were surveyed out of 8964 individuals enumerated with a response rate of 94.6%. The sample prevalence of at least one difficulty was 31.8% (2700), with 6.3% (532) having severe or total difficulties. The sample prevalence for AT need was 27.8% (2357) with an estimated population prevalence of 24.5% (95% CI: 23.5–25.4). Similarly, the sample prevalence of unmet needs was 9.7% (823) with an estimated population unmet needs of 8.0% (95% CI: 7.43–8.60). The unmet needs among persons with severe or total difficulties was 52.3% (278/532), and was higher among females, rural residents, and older persons. Spectacles were the most used products, followed by canes/sticks, tripods, and quadripods. Nearly two-thirds of AT users purchased assistive products at their own expense, particularly from the private sector. The inability to afford AT (36.9%) was the most common barrier. INTERPRETATION: The results show that the need for AT was substantial in the study population, the highest being for seeing difficulties. The unmet needs are higher in females, older population, rural residents, and persons having serious difficulties. While the majority of users have to make out-of-pocket payments to obtain AT, inability to afford and limited availability were the common barriers among those with unmet needs. FUNDING: This research is non-commercial, and was conducted in the interest of public health. The authors have not declared any specific grant for this research.