The nature and extent of healthcare provision for people with intellectual disabilities in Ghana: A qualitative study. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Odongo, Douglas Attoh; Forkuor, John Boulard; Ofori-Dua, Kwadwo; Dapaah, Jonathan Mensah; Dwumah, Peter
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual disabilities. Volume 26:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 637
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: cultural perception and health access -- health care access -- intellectual disability -- nursing training -- special schools and health provision; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; People with mental disabilities -- Periodicals; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Handicap intellectuel; Trouble d'apprentissage; Handicapé mental; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 362.1968588
• DOI: 10.1177/17446295211016171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-6295

Abstract

Ghana has designated special schools with the mandate of training and equipping persons with intellectual disabilities with social functioning and vocational skills needed to promote their social inclusion. This study investigates the nature and extent of healthcare provision for persons with intellectual disabilities in their respective special schools. This research adopted a qualitative, but participatory approach to collect data from respective stakeholders. The findings reveal that some of these special schools do not have professional health workers, and most healthcare providers have challenges diagnosing and prescribing medication for this population due to the health workers' limited understanding of their healthcare needs, coupled with communication barriers. The researchers have suggested setting up of a special health department with personnel who have received training on intellectual disabilities. This department must undertake training for the housemothers in special schools, parents in the communities, and teachers in special schools.