Childhood disability in Malawi: a population based assessment using the key informant method

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Epidemiology
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Limited epidemiological data on childhood disability in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) like Malawi hinders service planning.
• The Key Informant Method (KIM) offers a cost-effective strategy for population-based child impairment data collection.
• Malawi faces challenges in addressing childhood disability due to data scarcity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of moderate/severe hearing, vision, physical impairments, intellectual impairments, and epilepsy in children in two Malawian districts using KIM.
• To assess the need for rehabilitation and other services for children with identified impairments.
• To leverage KIM for data generation and service advocacy in LMICs.

Main Methods:

• Trained 500 key informants (KIs) to identify children with potential impairments.
• Organized screening camps where medical professionals assessed identified children.
• Utilized a systematic approach to identify and assess various childhood impairments.

Main Results:

• An estimated prevalence of 17.3 per 1000 children for impairments and epilepsy.
• Physical impairment was the most common (39%), followed by hearing (27%), intellectual (26%), epilepsy (22%), and vision (4%).
• Significant need identified for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and primary ear care; epilepsy medication access was limited.

Conclusions:

• The KIM successfully identified over 2500 children with impairments in Malawi, demonstrating its utility.
• The study provides vital data for planning and advocating for child disability services.
• KIM implementation includes capacity building and disability awareness, contributing to broader societal impact.