Gender differences in psychosocial and physical outcomes in Haitian amputees

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences in psychosocial and physical outcomes in users of lower-extremity prostheses who became amputees after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. METHOD. We enrolled 140 unilateral amputees in this cross-sectional study in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Trained staff administered the assessments by reading the questions aloud to participants. Participants completed the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales and Locomotor Capabilities Index about 2 yr after the earthquake. RESULTS. We found no gender differences in psychosocial adjustment and physical outcomes, except for strenuous physical activities and phantom pain, and both genders reported difficulty in social adjustment. After controlling for strenuous physical activities and phantom pain, we found that men showed worse psychosocial adjustment than women. CONCLUSION. Services for psychosocial adjustment are critical for traumatic amputees and should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs after a disaster. Interventions should consider gender roles in the indigenous culture. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences in psychosocial and physical outcomes in users of lower-extremity prostheses who became amputees after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. METHOD. We enrolled 140 unilateral amputees in this cross-sectional study in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Trained staff administered the assessments by reading the questions aloud to participants. Participants completed the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales and Locomotor Capabilities Index about 2 yr after the earthquake. RESULTS. We found no gender differences in psychosocial adjustment and physical outcomes, except for strenuous physical activities and phantom pain, and both genders reported difficulty in social adjustment. After controlling for strenuous physical activities and phantom pain, we found that men showed worse psychosocial adjustment than women. CONCLUSION. Services for psychosocial adjustment are critical for traumatic amputees and should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs after a disaster. Interventions should consider gender roles in the indigenous culture.