Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a global public health concern. In African countries such as Kenya, there is a greater need for establishing support services for developmental disorders such as ASD. The emotional, social and economic burden of ASD on caregivers is unknown because of a number of challenges. Citizens of Kenya have a unique view of disability and inclusion.Objectives: To explore the perspectives of caregivers who are responsible for caring for both family and children living with ASD and to highlight the needs of children with ASD as well as the needs of their caregivers.Method: A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study utilising focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted. Verbatim transcription was used. QSR N ’Vivo 10 was used to organise and analyse the data. Content analysis was used to identify important ideas and concepts.Results: One theme, namely ‘the burden of caring for children with ASD’, was identified. Children with ASD and their caregivers experience isolation and stigmatisation.Conclusion: Occupational therapists in Kenya should collaborate with the relevant national and global stakeholders for the promotion of the inclusion of children with ASD and their families. Responsive and context-appropriate occupational therapy interventions may begin to address service barriers.
Background and introduction:Autism Spectrum Disorder is a global public health concern which has attracted little attention from African countries such as Kenya. As a result, children with ASD and their caregivers are facing signifi cant barriers to accessing crucial services compared with the general population. Methodology:A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study utilizing Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was conducted. Analysis:The data was transcribed verbatim before QSR N'Vivo 10 was used to organize and analyze the data from transcripts of fi eld notes and interviews. Content analysis was used to identify important ideas and concepts. Findings: One theme, namely, "the burden of caring for children with ASD" was identifi ed. Implications and recommendations:Occupational therapists and other relevant stakeholders should provide accessible services that will promote the quality of life for children with ASD and their caregivers in Kenya.
INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) present complex clinical challenges requiring comprehensive rehabilitation management to facilitate adequate community reintegration. Rehabilitation managers are suitably positioned to enforce and enact policy related to holistic rehabilitation intervention, including preparing patients for community integration. However, due to discrepancies within the chain of care systems, they are unable to ensure individuals with SCI in Kenya are discharged to their respective communities fully prepared for effective community integration. Exploring their perspectives may therefore highlight potential barriers or enablers to ensuring more effective community integration for survivors of SCIs METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted via individual interviews with 12 purposively sampled rehabilitation managers. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed and underwent content analysis FINDINGS: The study findings revealed inadequacies in the process of spear-heading and facilitating community integration of individuals that sustained a spinal cord injury. On the other hand, the study suggested possible strategies to reinforce community integration for individuals with spinal cord injuries by involving all stakeholders in decision making, addressing training gaps, facilitating research programmes and equipping rehabilitation centres with specialised spinal cord units CONCLUSIONS: Implementing disability policies to minimise barriers to community integration and access to essential services is required. This includes developing clear guidelines on comprehensively managing individuals with spinal cord injuries in the community within the Kenyan context Implications for practice • Occupational therapy managers have a role to play in the facilitation of empowerment strategies aimed at influencing community (re) integration of survivors of SCIs. • There is the need for the enactment of an effective rehabilitation framework to enforce the role of occupational therapists as a key role player in facilitating community (re) integration. • Goodwill is required from the governmental political systems and organisations to spearhead the enforcement of the existing disability legislation if the welfare of survivors of SCIs are to be achieved.
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