Family level drivers of access to healthcare among persons with disabilities in the Bosomtwe district of Ghana

Abstract

Purpose The perceptions of disability conditions held by parents and immediate family members directly determine the types of treatments that are likely to opt for persons with disabilities whenever they are ill. Family level drivers of access to healthcare among persons with disabilities in the Bosomtwe district of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study was conducted in which data were collected from 60 participants selected purposively. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and the results were presented thematically. Findings The drivers identified have been categorized into positive and negative depending on how they influenced persons with disabilities’ access to health care. Payment of medical bills, physical access support, the narration of health condition to a health-care provider, spiritual support, care and love were the positives while perceived spiritual cause of disability, preference for alternative treatment centers, unwillingness to support reproductive and specialized health care. Research limitations/implications This study had some limitations, and one of such is the non-inclusion of disabled people who had not been registered by the department of social welfare but resided in the district who could have provided rich information to the study. However, their exclusion did not affect the quality of data obtained, as those who were registered and selected for the study gave adequate information about the issues that were considered during the study. Originality/value Family members of persons with disabilities play key roles in promoting their access to health care; therefore, there is the need for stakeholders to put in measures that will limit misconceptions about disability not only for the general public but also for individuals like parents and immediate family members of persons with disabilities.