Estimation of Unmet Need of Assistive Technology Among Individuals with Functional Limitations in Rawat, Islamabad

Abstract

Background: Assistive technology is vital for improving function and independence among people with disabilities, yet global and national data show widespread unmet need, especially in low-resource communities. There remains a significant knowledge gap regarding the extent and pattern of unmet AT need in peri-urban Pakistan. Objective: To quantify the prevalence and determinants of unmet need for assistive devices in Rawat, Islamabad, and to examine differences by gender and type of disability, informing future healthcare planning and policy. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 350 individuals from 75 systematically selected households in Rawat using the WHO Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment Tool. All residents were eligible; exclusions were non-residents and those who declined consent. Data on device need, usage, age, and gender were collected. Descriptive and inferential analyses (chi-square, odds ratios) were performed in SPSS. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Health Services Academy, Islamabad, in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: Of the total sample, 24.3% required assistive devices, but only 17.6% of those in need had their needs met; 82.4% had unmet need. Unmet need was higher among women (58.6% of unmet need cases) and elderly participants (mean age 59 years), though gender differences were not statistically significant (p=0.304). Key device categories with highest unmet need were visual and auditory aids. Conclusion: The substantial unmet need for assistive technology in Rawat reflects critical gaps in healthcare delivery and underscores the urgency of integrating AT services into primary care, with attention to gender and age equity. Scalable, evidence-based AT delivery models are urgently needed to advance disability inclusion and universal health coverage in Pakistan.