International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 6, 2019

Child developmental disabilities, caregivers’ role in Kenya and its implications on global migration (Article) (Open Access)

Chabeda-Barthe J.* , Wambua T. , Chege W.L. , Hwaga D. , Gakuo T. , Rotich G.C.
  • a Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern, Lerchenweg 36, Bern 9, CH-3000, Switzerland
  • b Kenya Institute of Special Education, P.O. Box 48413, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
  • c Kenya Institute of Special Education, P.O. Box 48413, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
  • d Kenya Institute of Special Education, P.O. Box 48413, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
  • e Kenya Institute of Special Education, P.O. Box 48413, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
  • f Kenya Institute of Special Education, P.O. Box 48413, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

Abstract

Background: This paper is a summary of the findings from an ethnographic study on child developmental disabilities conducted partly in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties in Kenya. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were applied for the period between mid August and mid November 2018. The study was conducted through the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) situated in Nairobi County. Results: There are parents who are willing to migrate in search of better education and healthcare options for their children who have developmental disabilities (DDs). However, there are also government reforms taking place in the field of disability that may help to support the caregiving role for children with special needs. The challenges, bargaining position and power play between parents or guardians and other actors implicated in the debates on inclusion and integration of persons with developmental disabilities in Kenya has been brought to the forefront. Conclusions: In Kenya, more needs to be done to change the attitude towards disability from the medical and moral (religious/cultural) models to an approach leaning towards the social model, so that developmental disabilities are not viewed negatively. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Inclusión Children Migration Developmental disability

Index Keywords

information processing education Parents morality Caregivers health care survey Human Migration Disabled Persons human disabled person autism medical ethics pediatrics Kenya ethnology interview Surveys and Questionnaires public attitude social status Humans developmental disorder psychology Adolescent Interviews as Topic male Developmental Disabilities preschool child female Cerebral Palsy Child, Preschool ethnography qualitative analysis Down syndrome questionnaire child health Article health care Nairobi [Kenya] major clinical study adult migration Education, Special disability quantitative analysis Delivery of Health Care health care facility caregiver support Nairobi [Nairobi (CNT)] epilepsy Kiambu caregiver Focus Groups child care child parent relation public health health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063609692&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16061010&partnerID=40&md5=24008783cce8841c94e8877d4f0e0403
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16061010
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English