Barriers to Healthcare: The case of Students at Ashanti School for the Deaf, Jamasi.

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
November 2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Persons with Deafness encounter numerous challenges in their quest to access healthcare. These challenges have the potential to limit access to healthcare and more importantly endanger their health. This research aims to bring to the fore the challenges encountered by students with deafness in their attempt to access healthcare. The design is a case study using quantitative methods .A total of 67 students were purposively selected for the study. Closed ended questions were used to access the various challenges associated with healthcare. Need indices were estimated based on choices on a Likert scale. In terms of access priority majority of respondents prioritized friendliness and respect from healthcare professionals. Difficulties with knowing which facility to visit, securing permission to visit a health facility, lack of funds, difficulties with transportation and access to interpreter services within health facilities were major barriers to access to healthcare. Family support was the highest need index for females while that of males was recorded on health worker privacy. The varied nature of the issues at stake requires that all stakeholders should be involved if deaf students are to enjoy greater access to health care. It is recommended that teachers make more time to thoroughly discuss issues of health education with students. Clinicians and non-clinicians as well should be made aware of the need to thoroughly explain health issues to deaf students.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Disability, Rehabilitation and Development)
Keywords
Citation