title: Meeting needs for rehabilitation equipment and home adjustments among the disabled in their life environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The elimination of functional barriers resulting from disability through the provision of adequate orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment, and homes adjusted for disability is the precondition for an efficient and independent functioning, and high quality of life of the disabled. The objective of the study was recognition of the needs of the disabled declared by them, and the degree of satisfaction with these needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study covered 478 disabled from the Lublin Region. The research instrument was the 'Questionnaire for the Disabled' designed by the authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considering the needs expressed by the respondents concerning the provision of orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment and meeting these needs, four groups were distinguished: No Needs - 30.1%, Needs Partially Met - 22.4%, Needs Fully Met - 37.7%, Needs Not Met - 9.8%. The group Needs Not Met was characterized by younger age, in the group Needs Partially Met worse indicators of the state of health were noted, more frequent independent living, loneliness and low material standard. Considering the expressed needs for home adjustments adequate to disability and meeting these needs, three groups were distinguished: No Needs - 59.6%, Needs Not Met - 15.9%, and Needs Met - 24.7%. The group Needs Not Met more rarely covered respondents living in residential homes, compared to those living independently in rural or urban areas. The group Needs Met more rarely included rural inhabitants, while more frequently including the disabled who had a high material standard.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the provision of orthopaedic equipment and adjustment of the home to disability are insufficient with respect to the needs. The meeting of these needs is significantly conditioned by high or very high material standard. The lack or incomplete satisfaction with the needs for rehabilitation equipment is associated with a relatively younger age, independent, single residence and low material standard. Living in an residential home means better adjustment of the living environment, and better provision with orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Epidemiology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kołłątaj
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorczyca
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology with Endocrine - Metabolic Laboratory, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kołłątaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Biostatistics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jędrych
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Jaw Orthopaedics, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sobieszczańska
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontic, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sobieszczański
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Epidemiology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Irena Dorota
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Karwat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011044:Poland; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult