Federici, Stefano and Eide, Arne H. and Mannan, Hasheem and Khogali, Mustafa and van Rooy, Gert and Swartz, Leslie and Munthali, Alister and Hem, Karl-Gerhard and MacLachlan, Malcolm and Dyrstad, Karin (2015) Perceived Barriers for Accessing Health Services among Individuals with Disability in Four African Countries. PLoS ONE, 10 (5). pp. 1-13. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

There is an increasing awareness among researchers and others that marginalized and vulnerable groups face problems in accessing health care. Access problems in particular in low-income countries may jeopardize the targets set by the United Nations through the Millennium Development Goals. Thus, identifying barriers for individuals with disability in accessing health services is a research priority. The current study aimed at identifying the magnitude of specific barriers, and to estimate the impact of disability on barriers for accessing health care in general. A population based household survey was carried out in Sudan, Namibia, Malawi, and South Africa, including a total of 9307 individuals. The sampling strategy was a two-stage cluster sampling within selected geographical areas in each country. A listing procedure to identify households with disabled members using the Washington Group six screening question was followed by administering household questionnaires in households with and without disabled members, and questionnaires for individuals with and without disability. The study shows that lack of transport, availability of services, inadequate drugs or equipment, and costs, are the four major barriers for access. The study also showed substantial variation in perceived barriers, reflecting largely socio-economic differences between the participating countries. Urbanity, socio-economic status, and severity of activity limitations are important predictors for barriers, while there is no gender difference. It is suggested that education reduces barriers to health services only to the extent that it reduces poverty. Persons with disability face additional and particular barriers to health services. Addressing these barriers requires an approach to health that stresses equity over equality.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Perceived Barriers; Accessing; Health Services; Individuals; Disability; Four; African Countries;
Academic Unit:	Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	16477
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0125915
Depositing User:	Malcolm MacLachlan
Date Deposited:	05 Sep 2022 13:43
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS ONE
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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