Locating And Accessing Services For Communication Disability In Ghana: The Parent Perspective

ABSTRACT Introduction: Early childhood intervention for communication delays and disabilities has been identified as a key issue in improving outcomes for children. However, early intervention services for communication disability in Ghana are extremely limited. In the absence of widely available early intervention services, finding appropriate services for children with communication disabilities can be a challenging issue for families. There is limited evidence on the barriers and facilitators to finding and being able to continue with, communication disability for early intervention services in Ghana. As communication disability services grow in Ghana, an understanding of both the barriers and facilitators faced by families in finding and accessing early intervention services will help in planning and promoting early intervention services effectively. This type of information should ultimately ensure that early intervention services for communication disability develops, which are increasingly accessible to families. Aim: This study specifically aimed to determine barriers and facilitators to accessing and maintaining services for communication disability in Ghana. Methodology: A mixed methods survey was employed for the present study. Questionnaires, which included a mixture qualitative and quantitative data, were used to gather and explore the perspectives and experiences of parents in finding and accessing early intervention services of communication disabilities for their children. A convenience sampling method was used. Thirty (30) parents of children of 8years and below with a communication disability currently attending an early intervention service completed the questionnaire. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Descriptive analysis was used for the quantitative data. Results: Service related factors, social factors, geographical location of centres and individual factors were categories of barriers to early intervention services identified by parents, and included: limited information, lack of services, lack of community support, financial issues, psychological, distance, time and geographical location. Factors that reportedly appeared to facilitate access to early intervention included referrals from other healthcare professionals, information within the community, improvement in child with therapy and favourable personal