Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy

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Browsing Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy by browse.metadata.advisor "Hendry, J. A."

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    Disability profiles and needs of disability grant recipients in Kleinmond, Western Cape, South Africa / Annette Freig.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Frieg, Annette; Hendry, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Rehabilitation.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African National Census (1996) reports a disability prevalence of 6,6% in South Africa. In November 1999 the government paid out 635 881 temporary or permanent disability grants. Legislation is in place to allow the Department of Social Services to administer the grants. For this study demographic information of disability grant recipients in a semi-rural area was sought in order to improve understanding of disability and to assist in service delivery. The study was executed in Kleinmond, a coastal town in the Western Cape with a population of 3 918, where 189 people reported a disability during the 1996 census. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the disability profile, caregiver utilization and needs of disability grant recipients in Kleinmond, Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS A descriptive survey was the study design of choice. The study population consisted of recipients of a permanent disability grant who collected their grants at the Kleinmond Post Office in June 1999. In order to capture the necessary information, a questionnaire was developed based on the disability catalogue of the International Classification of Impairment, Disability and Handicap (ICIDH) of the World Health Organisation. Pilot studies were conducted and the researcher interviewed 29 grantees during the main study in Kleinmond in June/July 1999. Repeatability of the questionnaire was tested. Ninety six percent of the responses were the same on the second visit to four randomly selected grantees. Data was analysed with the statistical software package STATISTICA. RESULTS The response rate was 90% (29/32). The mean age of the mainly male grantees was 42 years (range: 18 - 64). Most grantees were single, but the majority stayed with someone else. Ninety three percent (27/29) were unemployed while 69% (20/29) felt they were able to work. Most grantees took regular medication and the majority accessed health services at the primary level local clinic. Twenty five grantees (86%or 25/29) reported multiple disabilities, while one person did not fit into any of the categories. The most common disability category was situational disability (82% or 24/29). Nineteen persons with disabilities (66% or 19/29) relied on help which was mainly given by the parents. Assistance was needed with activities such as collecting the disability grant, shopping and managing money. With regard to needs of grantees, most found it important to have the clinic closer to their homes (52% or 15/29), to increase the amount of the disability grant (76% or 22/29) and to raise awareness of disability in the community (69% or 20/29). CONCLUSION Most disability grant recipients in this study reported problems in many of the seven disability categories of the ICIDH, i.e. multiple disabilities. This is consistent with the assumption that only severely disabled people qualify for a permanent disability grant in South Africa. This might explain why the majority of the grantees utilized a caregiver for some tasks. Needs with regard to health and social services of this defined group of persons with disabilities in Kleinmond will be brought to the attention of the authorities, who are planning a new community centre and clinic.