View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
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TRANSPORT<br />
It is the aim <strong>of</strong>community rehabilitation that community based rehabilitation services are in<br />
the communities where people live and therefore should be accessible to all health care users.<br />
This is made possible through provision <strong>of</strong> enough transport or short distances to travel to<br />
health centres.<br />
AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORT<br />
The fmdings <strong>of</strong>this study show that some amputees had transport and while others did not<br />
have transport:<br />
• Ten amputees (10) 40% reported that they had no transport because the roads were far<br />
from their residential areas and, they had to hire cars to take them, using small hand<br />
made roads.<br />
• Another ten amputees (10) 40% responded that they used taxis which are cramped for<br />
space and therefore difficult to fit them in with their rehabilitation aids, but that they<br />
preferred them in comparison with other means <strong>of</strong> transport, like buses and trains.<br />
These means <strong>of</strong> transport are not user friendly, drivers do not have the patience to<br />
wait for them to get a seat before they move, at times buses are full and they do not<br />
get a seat and also have small passages that do allow free mobility with their<br />
rehabilitation aids.<br />
• Three (3) 12% used buses because they were the only means <strong>of</strong>transport available.<br />
• Two (2) 8% amputees used the train, which was the most convenient and affordable<br />
means <strong>of</strong> transport for them These amputees reported that they also experienced<br />
problems because there were many steps to and from the station. These were<br />
amputees with lower limb amputation using crutches.<br />
DISTANCE TRAYELLEDBY AMPUTEES<br />
The study results show that the amputees traveled long distances to the health care centres.<br />
• Ten (10) 40% amputees traveled between S kmand 10km<br />
• Eight(8) 32% amputees traveled more than ISkm<br />
• Four (4) 16% traveled less than Skm which was the only acceptable distance from a<br />
rehabilitative care point<strong>of</strong>view.<br />
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