ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5232-976X
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Publisher: AOSIS
Date: 16-02-2023
Abstract: Background: Family quality of life (FQOL) is an important outcome for families of children with disabilities globally and provision of support is associated with enhanced FQOL. However, FQOL research primarily focuses on conceptualisation and measurement, and originates from high-income contexts despite the fact that most children with disabilities live in low-income countries.Objectives: The authors examined how Ethiopian disability support providers practically contribute to meeting the needs of families of children with disabilities to enhance FQOL.Method: Building on a previous study exploring Ethiopian families’ perspectives on FQOL, the authors used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach to interview various support providers. Interviews were conducted virtually (because of the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic) in English or with interpreting assistance. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Results: Support providers affirmed what families had described as important for FQOL – spirituality, relationships, self-sufficiency – and recognised their enormous support needs. They described various ways to support families – emotionally, physically, materially and informationally. They also expressed challenges and their need for support to meet families’ needs.Conclusion: Ethiopian families of children with disabilities need holistic support that incorporates spirituality, the whole family’s needs and disability awareness-raising. Collaborative and committed engagement from all stakeholders is necessary to support Ethiopian families to flourish.Contribution: This study contributes to global understandings of FQOL and describes practical approaches to support families of children with disabilities in an African context. The findings of this study highlight the influence of spirituality, relationships, self-sufficiency, poverty and stigma and the need for holistic support and disability awareness-raising to enhance FQOL.
Publisher: Stichting Liliane Fonds
Date: 23-02-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-08-2021
DOI: 10.3390/DISABILITIES1030018
Abstract: There has been increasing attention to quality of life for families supporting children with disabilities internationally however, there is minimal research on family quality of life (FQOL) in low-income countries, and specifically in African contexts. This study explored how Ethiopian families of children with disabilities conceptualised FQOL and what they perceived their support needs related to FQOL were. Using a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, we interviewed Ethiopian family members of children with various disabilities. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English with professional translation assistance. We analysed translated transcripts inductively based on Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis. We found that spirituality was core to families and that they described FQOL in terms of their relationships within the immediate family and with the community. Additionally, families wanted to be self-sufficient and provide for themselves, but with the additional challenges of raising a child with a disability and pervasive poverty, they recognised their need for more support. Therefore, providing holistic, family-centred services to Ethiopian families of children with disabilities can contribute to enhancing FQOL.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-09-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S11136-021-02994-Z
Abstract: Family Quality of Life (FQOL) is an important outcome for families of children with disabilities and is influenced by context and culture. Minimal research explores FQOL in African contexts. This scoping review identifies factors contributing to FQOL for families of children with disabilities in African contexts. We were guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, searching for research papers from the following electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Global Health, and PsycINFO. Using pre-determined eligibility criteria, two authors independently reviewed articles for inclusion via Covidence, a reference manager that facilitates blind reviewing. Two other authors independently extracted data from studies using a data-charting form based on Zuna and colleagues' FQOL framework. Reviewers met regularly for discussion to reach consensus. Fifty-three articles met the inclusion criteria, and findings demonstrated a broad variety of factors contributing to FQOL within the FQOL framework related to family unit factors, in idual member factors, and external support factors. We found that poverty, stigma, and spirituality were particularly prominent factors affecting FQOL negatively and positively in African contexts. Whilst there are universal factors that contribute to FQOL, recognising the influence of context-specific factors (i.e. poverty, stigma, spirituality) is important in order to provide effective, culturally relevant support that enhances FQOL for families of children with disabilities in African contexts.
Publisher: Medical Journals Sweden AB
Date: 2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-06-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-03-2020
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1743779
Abstract: Occupational therapy (OT) is a global health profession that promotes participation in meaningful occupations to enhance well-being, particularly for persons with disabilities. Occupational therapy is relatively new in many African countries and there is limited research regarding the role of OT in this region. Thus, this study aims to understand the role and scope of OT in Africa by exploring its unique contribution to healthcare and cultural considerations for practicing OT in various African contexts. We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews with 15 occupational therapists from 11 African countries. Interview questions focused on participants' work activities, rewards and challenges of their work, and perceived contribution to healthcare. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews followed by inductive thematic analysis. All participants described maintaining multiple roles. Four main themes (with sub-themes) emerged: advocacy (clients and the profession), collaboration (multi-disciplinary team, professional support, and internationally), maintaining core OT principles (occupation, function, participation, empowerment, and holistic practice), and contextual considerations (community-based services, practice approaches, sustainability, cultural norms, and spirituality). Occupational therapists working in African contexts have a unique and challenging role involving advocacy and collaboration. They need to maintain core OT values whilst addressing contextual considerations to ensure culturally relevant practice.Implications for RehabilitationOccupational therapists have an important role in promoting health and well-being however, practice is influenced by the cultural context.Occupational therapists in Africa maintain multiple roles, including advocacy for their clients and the profession, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, for professional support and internationally.African occupational therapists need to be rooted in core OT principles whilst considering their unique context to ensure culturally relevant practice.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Julia Jansen-van Vuuren.