African Journal of Disability最新文献

{"title":"Sexual, bladder and bowel problems in people with spinal cord injury in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.","authors":"Lauren Tomes, Sonti Pilusa","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1480","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-changing experience that comes with multiple health challenges such as bowel, bladder and sexual health problems. Studies on the experiences of people with SCI based in rural South Africa are scarce.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to explore the experience and long-term care needs related to sexual, bowel and bladder problems in people with SCI in a rural setting.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An exploratory qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with SCI living in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded. The content analysis steps were followed to identify categories and themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 12 individuals with SCI were interviewed. Frustration was the main theme that emerged with three sub-themes: types, management and effects of sexual, and bladder and bowel problems on individuals with SCI. The expressed long-term care needs were medication specific to SCI conditions, health information on secondary health conditions and prevention care, and resources such as nappies and quality catheters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings confirm that secondary health conditions such as bowel, bladder and sexual health problems affect the well-being of people with SCI in rural settings. Prevention care is urgently needed.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Patient education information on bowel, bladder and sexual health problems, and access to medication is imperative to support self-management practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1480"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144053868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The biopsychosocial effects of transtibial amputation: A South African perspective.","authors":"Riyona Chetty, Raisuyah Bhagwan, Nalini Govender","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1404","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A myriad of physical, psychosocial and environmental sequelae are associated with limb loss. However, there is a paucity of empirical South African data, which focusses on these sequelae, how they interface with the amputee's quality of life as well as the challenges they experience following amputation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study sought to explore the biopsychosocial effects of amputation and how it affected the quality of life of transtibial amputees.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative approach guided this study. Data were collected using one-on-one interviews with 14 unilateral transtibial amputees. Data were analysed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five broad themes emerged from the inquiry, which captured amputees' experiences of phantom limb pain, body image disturbances and their challenges related to adapting to daily activities. Participants also expressed the salience of familial support as well as the importance of psychological interventions to cope.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggested that support networks and professional psychological intervention are imperative in facilitating successful adjustment to the amputation experience. Raising awareness of limb loss, in both rural and urban settings, may help reduce the stigma attached to it.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Quality of life comprises several domains, namely physical, psychological, environmental and social. However, limited local and international data exists regarding the environmental and social effects. This study brought to the fore the positive and negative effects of amputation in each domain, as well as various strategies, which facilitate successful adjustment to amputation.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1404"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067012/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationships between leisure participation, leisure constraints, and quality of life among individuals with lower-limb amputations in South Africa.","authors":"Adri I Visser, Mariette Swanepoel, Marike Cockeran, Cindy Kriel","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with lower-limb amputations (LLAs) face unique challenges that affect their leisure participation and overall quality of life (QoL).</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examines the relationships between leisure participation, leisure constraints and QoL among South Africans with LLAs (<i>N</i> = 50, mean age 46.2 ± 11.63 years).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional quantitative design was used, collecting data via the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale-Revised (TAPES-R), Constraints to Participation, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Disability Module (WHOQOL-DIS) questionnaires.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Weak to moderate relationships were found between leisure participation and constraints (interpersonal: τb = -0.01, <i>p</i> = 0.402; structural: τb = -0.21, <i>p</i> = 0.072). Moderate positive associations emerged between leisure participation and QoL in the disability module (τb = 0.21, <i>p</i> = 0.073), physical domain (τb = 0.20, <i>p</i> = 0.088) and environment domain (τb = 0.20, <i>p</i> = 0.091). Medium-negative correlations were observed between QoL and constraints in the physical domain (intrapersonal: <i>r</i> = -0.33, <i>p</i> = 0.021; interpersonal: <i>r</i> = -0.32, <i>p</i> = 0.021). Significant negative relationships were found between QoL (social domain) and both intrapersonal (<i>r</i> = -0.33, <i>p</i> = 0.020) and interpersonal constraints (<i>r</i> = -0.36, <i>p</i> = 0.010).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This is the first study to explore these relationships in South Africans with LLAs. Intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints significantly impact physical and social QoL. Addressing these barriers may improve overall QoL in this population.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides novel insights into the interplay between leisure participation, constraints, and QoL among South Africans with LLAs. By identifying the significant impact of intrapersonal and interpersonal constraints on physical and social QoL, these findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce barriers and enhance leisure engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1585"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067013/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143988749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of health conditions on daily functioning in Kenyan populations: A scoping review.","authors":"Naomi W Kingau, Quinette A Louw, Maria Y Charumbira","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Kenya faces significant challenges in addressing the impact of various health conditions. Understanding the functioning problems associated with these conditions is crucial for informing targeted interventions and improving overall healthcare outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of functioning problems associated with health conditions contributing most to Years Lived with Disability in the adult Kenyan population and to identify the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains and categories most affected.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A scoping review was conducted. Searches were performed across multiple databases using relevant keywords and inclusion criteria. Studies published between January 2006 and December 2023 were eligible. Data were extracted from 39 eligible studies using a web-based software application (<i>Rehab4all</i>).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Major depressive disorder, human immunodeficiency virus, low back pain and fractures were identified as the leading conditions contributing to functioning problems in Kenya. The most prevalent problems included walking difficulties, paraesthesia, various forms of pain and depression. The most affected ICF domains were mobility (d4), sensory function and pain (b2) and mental (b1).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The comprehensive description of functioning problems associated with priority health conditions in Kenya can be used to develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes across affected domains.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This research enhances comprehension of disability burden guiding intervention development and policy formulation for improved rehabilitation and offers a platform for further evidence-based strategies to tackle the country's complex health challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1456"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144049829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum: Electoral participation of people with and without disabilities in urban communities in Cameroon and Senegal.","authors":"Vladimir Y Pente, Anita Jeyam, Stevens Bechange, Emma Jolley, Anne Roca, Sandra R Dossou, Khady Ba, Joseph Oye, Salimata Bocoum, Laurene Leclercq, Elena Schmidt","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1714","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1399.].</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1714"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067011/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transitioning from autism self-advocacy to advocating for the neurodiverse community.","authors":"Emile Gouws","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1560","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1560","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In this article, I reflect on my continuing journey of becoming an autism self-advocate and how this has extended to advocate for the broader neurodiverse community.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>I aimed to provide an academic analysis of the value of autism self-advocacy with special reference to building resilience to confront discrimination and advocating for equal opportunities, support and inclusion.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>My autoethnographic reflections are fused with those of my co-constructors to present critical incidents that defined my journey of becoming an internationally recognised advocate for autism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Education has been the transformative force that has changed my life, granting me opportunities to advocate for my broader neurodiverse community on various local and international platforms and guiding me to create an ecosystem of family and professionals who continuously support me and others who are neurodiverse. My advocacy, which aims at raising autism awareness, has changed the perceptions of the community of practice as well as others with an interest in supporting and including individuals living with autism in a significant way.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A network of care and support is required to sustain autism self-advocacy and to build on it to advocate for the broader neurodiverse community.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This demonstrates the need for educating stakeholders to raise their expectations for autistic children and adults and for teachers and psychologists to continue supporting families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to realise their full human potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1560"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067018/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144040644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How can you be a doctor? Ableism in the workplace.","authors":"Sarah N Whitehead, Seyi L Amosun, Theresa Lorenzo, Harsha Kathard","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1588","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1588","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966708/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors influencing person-centred care: Speech-language pathologists and audiologists perspective.","authors":"Faheema Mahomed-Asmail, Louise Metcalfe, Marien A Graham, Renata Eccles","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1589","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Person-centred care (PCC) is a fundamental aspect of healthcare, and its implementation is primarily based on clinicians' initiation and sustained efforts and the availability of resources. Recent PCC literature has primarily focused on high-income settings, raising concerns about the feasibility of PCC implementation in low- and middle-income countries.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examined speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) and audiologists' (AUDs) perceptions of barriers and facilitators towards implementing PCC in the diverse South African context, particularly how their demographic factors influence these perceptions.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A national cross-sectional e-survey pooled 103 clinicians who were providing speech-language pathology and audiological services in South Africa. The e-survey included questions on participants' demographics, working environment and a seven-point Likert scale rating 10 components that influence PCC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Clinicians scored personal factors (64.7%), followed by their relationships with different professionals (54.9%) as the most facilitating factors for achieving PCC. The most significant perceived barrier was resources, including time and finances (59.8%), followed by the client perspectives (53.9%). Significant associations were found between the components influencing PCC and clinicians' qualifications, work sectors and populations served.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The collective findings of this study highlighted the multifaceted nature of PCC implementation within a diverse healthcare context. Client perspectives need to be considered while leveraging clinician attributes and fostering supportive workplace environments for the successful adoption of PCC.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study contributes to literature of PCC implementation and has captured how the perceptions of speech-language therapists (SLPs) and AUDs call for tailored approaches in diverse healthcare contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1589"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966724/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Care perspectives: Mothers of children with disabilities in a peri-urban setting in South Africa.","authors":"Marcia A Torres, Chioma O Ohajunwa","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1463","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1463","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Within lower- to middle-income countries, mothers of children with disabilities often bear the burden of caregiving for their children, and experience various familial, systemic, structural and sociocultural challenges to the fulfilment of this role.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This article discusses the barriers and enablers to caregiving experienced by mothers of children with disabilities living in a peri-urban setting in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was implemented with six mothers of children with disabilities, recruited through total population sampling. Interviews were conducted in three South African languages - English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans. The interviews were translated, transcribed and analysed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key challenges experienced in care giving include poverty, a sense of abandonment and communal stigma. Despite the challenges, the mothers identify spirituality and empathetic healthcare workers as a support for caregiving.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mothers of children with disabilities experience isolation and stigmatisation, are often alienated from accessing community structures on an equal basis with others, creating a barrier to caregiving for these mothers. An inclusive and targeted approach is needed to raise awareness and create peer support groups for mothers of children with disabilities.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>A sense of isolation, financial challenges and familial abandonment are significant challenges for mothers of children with disabilities, but they find strength in spirituality. Spiritual belief systems and collaboration with community and spiritual leaders are advocated for ongoing communal support for mothers of children with disabilities. An inclusive, authentic intersectoral collaboration is needed to enhance caregiving capacity for mothers of children with disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1463"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966728/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does life expectancy vary by disability status in LMICs?: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Desta Debalkie Atnafu, Femke Bannink Mbazzi, Mezgebu Yitayal, Hannah Kuper","doi":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1514","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1514","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with disabilities on average experience health care barriers, poorer health and higher mortality.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to review and synthesise life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost (YLL) comparing people with disabilities to those without in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic review was conducted across six databases. Longitudinal studies with a comparator group that measured LE in or YLL between people with and without disabilities in LMICs were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Meta-analyses were undertaken using R 4.3.3. The study assessed heterogeneity with I² and publication bias with a funnel plot. Sub-group and meta-regression analyses were performed, and the risk of bias was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve full-text articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled mean LE was lower in people with disabilities (57.98 years; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 53.40-62.95) compared with people without disabilities (70.86 years; 95% CI: 64.06-78.38). The overall weighted years of YLL in people with disabilities was 15.84 years (95% CI: 11.1-22.61). There was no significant difference in YLL between men (16.33 years; 95% CI: 11.49-23.21) and women (13.7 years; 95% CI: 8.45-22.22).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The average LE in people with disabilities was substantially lower compared to those without disabilities in LMICs. This inequity highlights that health systems and public health efforts are failing to meet the needs of people with disabilities and must be improved to become more inclusive.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The study emphasises the need for inclusive policies and robust research in the health system to address health disparities.</p>","PeriodicalId":45606,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Disability","volume":"14 ","pages":"1514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966715/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}