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Children and adolescents with physical disabilities: describing characteristics and disability-related needs in the Kilimanjaro region, north-eastern Tanzania – a cross-sectional survey
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation. Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9234-7364
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.
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2023 (English)In: BMJ Open, E-ISSN 2044-6055, Vol. 13, no 1, article id e064849Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives: To describe the characteristics and disability-related needs of children and adolescents with physical disabilities in the Kilimanjaro region, North-Eastern Tanzania.

Design: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021. Trained research assistants interviewed primary children’s carers using a questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth Framework. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V.27. The Pearson χ2 test was used to examine differences between age, gender and self-reported needs. The independent t-test assessed difference in needs according to age and gender.

Setting: Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Participants: Children and adolescents, aged 2–18 years, with physical disabilities (n=212).

Results: Almost 40% had severe speech (n=84) and joint mobility (n=79) impairments, and more than half (n=124) had severe or complete difficulties walking. In aspects of self-care (caring for body parts, toileting, dressing, eating and drinking), most had severe and complete difficulties. Almost 70% (n=135) of households were located near health facilities without rehabilitation services. About one-quarter (n=51) had never received rehabilitation services. More than 90% (n=196) needed assistive devices, and therapeutic exercises (n=193). Over three-quarters needed nutritional supplements (n=162).

Conclusion: Children and adolescents with physical disabilities in North-Eastern Tanzania have impaired speech and joint mobility, and difficulties in communication, self-care and walking. Rehabilitation services essential for addressing these impairments and activity limitations are either scarce or inaccessible. Action is needed to facilitate urban and rural access to rehabilitation services in order to improve the well-being of children and adolescents with physical disabilities.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2023. Vol. 13, no 1, article id e064849
National Category
Pediatrics
Research subject
Public health
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-203833DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064849ISI: 000924512900004PubMedID: 36592996Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85145491645OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-203833DiVA, id: diva2:1729397
Funder
Familjen Erling-Perssons StiftelseUmeå UniversityAvailable from: 2023-01-20 Created: 2023-01-20 Last updated: 2023-09-05Bibliographically approved

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Swai, Elia AsanterabiLindkvist, MarieSörlin, AnnSahlen, Klas-Göran

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