GRACE – Gender aspects in Rehabilitation of persons with Amputation in Conflict-affected Environments.

Fewer women with amputation attend rehabilitation in conflict affected countries (11% women, 89% men), even when the cause of amputation is non-trauma or conflict related, (29% women).

The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of sex and gender on injury profiles, clinical characteristics, access to and acceptability of rehabilitation services in order to promote gender sensitive approaches to rehabilitation so that health outcomes are optimised for people with amputation in conflict affected environments.

The aims are to: (i) investigate sex differences in demographic factors, injury profiles and clinical characteristics among people with amputation; (ii) understand the perspectives of people with amputation about access, acceptability and perceptions of rehabilitation; (iii) understand the perspectives of health workers and local leaders on how gender aspects impact access to services, service delivery and health outcomes.

A retrospective data analysis will be undertaken of existing patient databases of International Committee of the Red Cross supported rehabilitation centres.

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with people with amputation, health workers and local leaders in Ethiopia and Cambodia.

Exploration of the gender dimension in rehabilitation in conflict settings is crucial as gender discrimination renders women particularly vulnerable to exclusion from services, reducing their rehabilitation potential with significant negative impact.