An investigation on perceptions and practice of health professionals towards health services for persons with disabilities

Despite the fact that disability advocates are working to change attitudes toward persons with disabilities, public perception of such individuals is still largely negative. Specifically, these negative perceptions have become the major difficulties for people with disabilities to get inclusive public services. Thus, the major objective of this study has been to investigate the perceptions of health professionals towards persons with disability in providing medical services in Gonder Referral Hospital. Adopting a mixed approach, a total of 232 of which 122 female participants were selected from different categories of health professions in the Hospital by employing stratified random sampling technique specially, proportional sampling technique. Stratifications were based on field of study/training, sex, age, and work experience. The study employed Descriptive survey design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative data were collected via perception towards Disabled People scale (ATDP) and self-developed questionnaire whereas qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interview.  Quantitative data were analyzed by using SPSS 20, frequency, mean, t-test and one way ANOVA were employed .In addition, thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative data in order to triangulate the quantitative data. The results showed that there was no medical services discrimination between patients with disability patients without disability.  Independent samples t-test result revealed that there was no statistically significant mean differences of perception across sex. However, analysis of one way ANOVA indicated that there is a statistically significant mean difference of perception across age and work experience. Finally, the researchers recommended based on the findings of the study such as organizing recognition giving programs for participants who make the service delivery inclusive for patients with disability have been forwarded.