Tailoring a pre-prosthetic training course for community health workers in a rural setting within South Africa

Abstract

More than a third of South Africa's population resides in rural areas. The attraction and retention of suitably trained medical professionals is a problem faced almost universally by those living in rural areas. Access to qualified health professionals by people in rural areas is a pressing matter, especially when faced with mobility barriers imposed by lower-limb amputation. The World Health Organisation has strongly advocated for the implementation of a communitybased approach to rehabilitation in developing countries. A community-based approach to rehabilitation aims to improve access to health services by utilising local resources in resourcepoor settings and training community members to provide basic rehabilitation.