Physical Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to compile a profile of people with physical disabilities in Khartoum State, Sudan, while identifying disability types, challenges and satisfaction with services.

Methods: The study made use of a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Convenience sampling was employed to select 25% of the population of people with physical disabilities in Khartoum state, consisting of a sample of 467 participants. A self-developed, reliable questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions was used to collect the data. Test-retest reliability has been determined through a pilot study of the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. All the necessary ethical considerations were adhered to during the implementation of the study. Results: In our sample, 48.4% were children with disabilities who were less than 10 years old. Among the participants, amputations (30.8%) and cerebral palsy (30.3%) were the major types of physical disability. About 60% of the respondents were using assistive devices and out of these, 78.9% maintained their assistive devices themselves. Finances (70.5%) and transportation (42.7%) were the major barriers to accessing health services. Of the 84% who had access to physiotherapy services, 95.8% were satisfied with the services. Unemployment rates among people with physical disabilities were high in our sample.

Conclusion: High prevalence of children with CP in our sample indicates the need for the prevention of disability and increased rehabilitation support. The high number of persons with amputation shows the need for prevention of injuries and prevention of and care in diabetes. Unemployment among physically disabled individuals is apparently high in our sample from Khartoum state. Although there were barriers to accessing services like finance and transportation, the majority of those recruited could access rehabilitation services. Many are using assistive devices and maintain them themselves. The participants were satisfied with the services they received. Recommendations: Prevention of disability, access to rehabilitation services and empowerment of people with disabilities need to be promoted, with inclusive education and appropriate workforce policy to reduce poverty. More investigation into disability services in rural Sudan is needed.