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Background: Disability is a global burden with 15% of people is currently living with disability. Physical disability is one form of major disability and this case study will focus in physical disability. The majority of people with physical disability live in low income countries.
About 8% of populations of people in Tanzania are disabled in one form or another form of disability and about 3.1% of the population is mobile impaired. This study sought to determine the barriers to health care and social support to persons with physical disability and to provide policy options towards addressing these barriers
Objective: To determine the barriers to health care and social support to persons with physical disability and to provide policy options towards addressing these barriers
Methodology: This was a qualitative cross-sectional policy case study analysis, conducted between 30th May and 24th June 2016, involving key stakeholders from Moshi. Face to face interview was used to obtain information from the key stakeholders. Data was analyzed using thematic frame work analysis and presented in to theme.
Results: The study findings on barriers to healthcare services to persons with physical disability were high cost of health services and transportation to health care centers. Also scarcity of health centers and rehabilitation centers affecting more people from rural areas compared to urban areas. Also inadequate technical aids and health professionals who treat persons with physical disability directly led to poor quality of health services to persons with physical disability. In addition the study found inadequate family and community support to disabled persons. Lack of knowledge on the cause and caring for people with physical disability led to social stigmatization.
Conclusion and recommendation: This case study recommends that in order to address the barriers faced by the persons with physical disability both stakeholders need to be involved. This case study recommendations are peer support and skills training, Training of health care workers and Incentives for Specialization also exemption cards and waivers for health care services, and outreach, social support, and Rehabilitation Services so increase accessibility and affordability of health care services lastly community educational campaign to create awareness in the public. |
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