Brief reports
Perceptions of Primary Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in two Communities from Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors:
Arisha Qayyum ,
Human Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PK
About Arisha
The author is affiliated with Aga Khan University-Human Development Programme as a Research Officer. She is a Clinical Psychologist (M.A and Post Magisterial Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PMDC)) from the Institute of Professional Psychology, affiliated with Bahria University Karachi campus. Her research interests are childhood disabilities, learning disabilities and child assessment techniques.
Seema Zainulabdin Lasi,
Human Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PK
About Seema Zainulabdin
Ms.Seema Laasi works as a Senior Instructor for Aga Khan University - Human Development Programme. Her areas of interest are early childhood development with a special focus on growth monitoring, injuries, disabilities and learning disabilities.
Ghazala Rafique
Human Development Programme, Aga Khan University, Karachi, PK
About Ghazala
Dr.Ghazala Rafique is a medical doctor and a public health practitioner . She is currently the Interim Director for the Aga Khan University - Human Development Programme. Her main focus areas are early childhood integrated approaches and policy studies.
Abstract
Purpose: This study explored the perceptions, attitudes and practices of primary caregivers towards children with disabilities in two communities from Sindh and Balochistan, in Pakistan.
Method: Six focus group discussions and seven in-depth interviews were conducted with 37 women in the two communities – one urban and the other rural.
Results: Primary caregivers perceived disability as physical, functional limitations and the absence of any functional body parts. Complications during pregnancy and delivery were regarded as the major cause of disabilities. Lack of financial resources and limited access to medical and rehabilitation services were identified as the main reasons for frustration among caregivers, resulting in their giving reduced attention to the child with disability. Caregivers felt that behavioural problems of children with disabilities were a major challenge, and also limited their participation in social activities.
Conclusion and Implication: There is a need to raise awareness among the families of children with disabilities and in the community at large. Home-based community-level interventions are needed to reduce the social stigma attached to children with disabilities.
How to Cite:
Qayyum, A., Lasi, S.Z. and Rafique, G., 2013. Perceptions of Primary Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in two Communities from Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 24(1), pp.130–142. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v24i1.193
Published on
01 May 2013.
Peer Reviewed
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