Health Services Accessibility And Expectations of Disabled People

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the distribution of disability types, treatment and rehabilitation needs, utilization of the basic services provided, and determination of expectations of disabled persons. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in Hazro district of Diyarbakır. Of the 1069 individuals screened by a cross-sectional study, 148 disabled individuals were identified. A face-to-face meeting was provided with the families of these disabled individuals. The demographic characteristics of the disabled person, information on the types of disability, the use of health services and the questionnaire form which asks the expectation status were used. Results: The prevalence of disability was 13.8%. 51.3% of the disabled were male, 48.2% were not literate and 16.7% did not have any social security. It was determined that 37.8% of people with disabilities did not receive treatment for their disability and 98.0% did not benefit from rehabilitation services. It was found that 70.9% of the disabled did not receive education, 60.1% of them did not know about vocational and skill courses and 51.4% of them could not benefit from public transportation services. Families stated that, the disabled people do not go to any institution or rehabilitation center with 44.8% because of absence in the close environment; 26.9% stated that they do not know if there is any. It was found that the most important expectation of 50% of disabled people and their families from institutions and organizations is to provide health services easily. Conclusion: Disabled persons have difficulty in accessing health services and cannot benefit from rehabilitation services. Basic services such as education, vocational courses and public transport are also insufficient. In this sense, health and social service institutions have important duties.