Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
Deaf People's Access to Health Care Services in Kabul City: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Niamatullah Rajabi1, Obaidullah Fahim1, Rohullah Sakhi1
1The Faculty of Public Health, Kabul University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kabul, Afghanistan.
Background:
In Afghanistan, there are approximately 434,000 individuals who are deaf. The main barriers to access to health services include the lack of sign language interpreters and communication problems, leading to poor health outcomes. This study was conducted to address the challenges faced by deaf individuals in accessing health care services, considering Afghanistan's specific socio-economic conditions. In this study, access to healthcare refers to the ability to obtain needed healthcare services, while satisfaction of the services received.
Objective:
To determine the level of access to health care services among deaf people in Kabul City and assess their satisfaction with these services.
Methods:
This study employed an analytical cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of 91 teachers and students, selected via a total method from two schools. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire with acceptable reliability, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed to find the association factors.
Results:
The results of the study showed that 39.6% reported poor access to health services. Satisfaction with health services was moderate in 53.8% of cases, and statistical analysis revealed significant associations between access and variables such as gender P-value=0.019, education level (P-value=0.003), and marital status (P-value=0.018). No significant relationship was found between satisfaction and most demographic factors (age P-value= 0.519, marital status, P-value=0.701; gender, P-value=0.178; P-value=0.591; and family economic status, P-value=0.414).
Conclusion:
This research demonstrated that deaf people in Kabul face significant systemic barriers in accessing health services. The Communication barriers, including the lack of sign language interpreters and limited sign language skills among healthcare providers, were identified as major barriers associated with access to healthcare services. To improve the situation, training healthcare workers in sign language, deploying professional interpreters, and developing inclusive health policies are recommended.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.