Investigation of the use of orthotics and prosthesis in children survivors of landmines and unexploded ordnances in border provinces of Iran

During the past five decades, the landmines have been identified as the major cause of traumatic amputations in war-torn countries. The aim of this study was to investigation the use of orthotics and prosthesis in children survivors of landmines and unexploded ordnances(UXOs)in border provinces of Iran In this study our population was all the less than 18 years old adolescents that injured by landmines and UXOs in 5 border provinces of Iran, namely West Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Ilam, and Kurdistan(n=78). The identified victims participated in a social- health camp for collecting their health status. Demographic data were collected by a designed-researcher questionnaire. For checking the status of limbs, diagnosis the requirement for using orthotics and prosthesis, replacement or repair these devices if required and satisfaction of the prosthesis. The mean age of these cases at the time of study was (16.11 ±1.99). The mean height and weight of survivors were 165±10.47 and 54.25±12.74 respectively. The rate of amputation among the victims was 41(52.56%). Require to the prosthesis, orthotics and other assistive mobility devices were, 38 (48.71%), 18 (23.1%) and 8 (10.25%),respectively. At the time of study 21(26.92%) of the cases were using assistive mobility devices. Most of the victims that using prothesis had lower than the average of satisfaction 15(71.42%). The low level of satisfaction indicated the more attention to the education, health programs and rehabilitation for raising victims awareness and knowledge in the using of assistive mobility devices.