Perceived Barriers for Accessing Health Services among Individuals with Disability in Four African Countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Marginalized groups, especially individuals with disabilities, encounter significant challenges accessing healthcare.
• These access barriers in low-income countries can impede progress towards global health targets like the Millennium Development Goals.
• Identifying and quantifying these barriers is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of specific barriers to healthcare access.
• To assess the impact of disability on overall healthcare access barriers.
• To inform policy and practice for equitable healthcare provision.

Main Methods:

• A population-based household survey was conducted in Sudan, Namibia, Malawi, and South Africa, involving 9307 individuals.
• A two-stage cluster sampling strategy was employed within selected geographical areas.
• The Washington Group six screening questions identified households with disabled members, followed by structured questionnaires.

Main Results:

• The four primary barriers identified were lack of transport, service availability, inadequate drugs/equipment, and cost.
• Significant variations in perceived barriers were observed, linked to socio-economic differences across countries.
• Urbanity, socio-economic status, and severity of activity limitations predicted barriers; gender was not a significant factor.

Conclusions:

• Persons with disabilities face distinct and additional obstacles in accessing health services.
• Socio-economic factors and geographical location significantly influence healthcare access barriers.
• An equity-focused approach, rather than mere equality, is essential to overcome these challenges and improve health outcomes for all.