Utilization and impact of assistive device use on mental health among children with disabilities in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Assistive devices (ADs) play a critical role in mitigating accessibility barriers and enhancing inclusion. Despite the global acknowledgment of the benefits of ADs, there is a notable lack of information on their utilization and impact in global south countries, including Nigeria.

Purpose: To explore the prevalence and factors associated with the use of ADs and examine the relationship of these ADs with anxiety and depression among disabled children in Nigeria.

Method: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), including data of 22,443 children aged between 5 and 17 who participated in the survey and answered the functioning module. Disability was screened using the Washington Group and UNICEF child functioning module. Logistics regression was used to estimate the odds (with 95% CI) of using ADs and associations with anxiety and depression among the children.

Results: Shows that 43.2%, 37.2%, and 28.9% of those with seeing, hearing and walking difficulties are using ADs, respectively. Factors such as age, school attendance, and maternal education are associated with ADs use. Across the three difficulties, ADs users consistently had lower adjusted odds of depression and anxiety compared to non-users. For example, children with seeing difficulties who used ADs had lower odds of depression (aOR = 1.43 vs. 1.66) and anxiety (aOR = 1.48 vs. 1.74).

Conclusion: This study revealed notable socioeconomic disparities in the access and utilization of ADs among disabled children. The disparity underscores the need for an overarching, multifaceted, and multisectoral approach to promote accessibility to ADs.