Extra-Institutional Factors Limiting Access to Rehabilitation Services for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Perspectives of Caregivers in Marsabit County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: This paper explored the factors limiting access to and use of hospitalbased rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy in Marsabit County, Kenya. The factors were unrelated to healthcare institutions providing the services and the focus was on the perspectives of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Method: A qualitative study was conducted with a total of 18 participants who were selected by purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data was analysed using Erlingsson and Brysiewicz’s approach to content analysis. Results: The major barriers for the caregivers were belief systems, lack of awareness of rehabilitation services, no support at home, transport problems, and cost of transport. Conclusion and Implications: Access to rehabilitation services for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy appear to be limited. Health policymakers, service providers and other stakeholders should ramp up their efforts to improve access to these services and make them services not expensive, but caregivers experience transport problems in terms of its unavailability and cost as well. Efforts at improving access could be supported by information and awareness-creation among caregivers about the importance of rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy.