Community service providers' roles in supporting communication disability rehabilitation in Majority World contexts: An example from Ghana

Karen Wylie, Bronwyn Davidson, Julie Marshall, Josephine Ohenewa Bampoe, Clement Amponsah, Lindy McAllister

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: In Majority World countries, where speech-language pathology services are extremely limited, people with communication disabilities (PWCD) may seek help from a range of service providers. This qualitative research aimed to explore the nature of community services offered to people with communication disabilities who seek help in Accra, Ghana. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine individuals from three professions: pastors (3), doctors (3), and herbalists (3) exploring services that they may offer to PWCD seeking help. Interviews were analysed using Thematic Network Analysis. Result: Six global themes described beliefs about communication disability, types of intervention, explanations provided to people with communication disabilities, promoting communication, processes for selecting treatments, and links between service providers. Interventions encompassed physical, spiritual, psychosocial and environmental approaches, with the notion of plural beliefs interwoven through a number of themes. Conclusion: In Ghana, and other Majority World contexts, service providers in sectors not commonly associated with communication disability rehabilitation may have important roles to play in supporting people with communication disabilities. Understanding the contributions of other service providers may assist the growing profession of speech-language pathology to collaborate across sectors, to develop specific, culturally responsive approaches to service development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)414-424
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • community services
  • developing countries
  • multidisciplinary
  • speech-language pathology
  • sub-Saharan Africa

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Community service providers' roles in supporting communication disability rehabilitation in Majority World contexts: An example from Ghana'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this