TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge of developmental disabilities and referral sources among health workers in two Ghanaian hospitals
AU - Sheriff, Blessed
AU - Sakyi, Kwame
AU - Malm, Esther K.
AU - Zabel, Celeste
AU - Owusu, Prince G.
AU - Sowah, Leonie Akofio
AU - Anum, Adote
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The British Society of Developmental Disabilities 2022.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Proper treatment of developmental disabilities requires health workers to have adequate knowledge of etiology and referral procedures. There is a dearth of research on knowledge of developmental disabilities among health workers in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to document knowledge about developmental disorders, causes, and referral procedures among health workers. Researchers used a successive free-listing method to interview 37 health workers. Developmental disabilities which present with physical symptoms were the most salient disorders identified among health workers, while learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder were largely overlooked. The most commonly listed developmental disabilities were cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. Respondents had limited knowledge about the causes of and referral resources for developmental disabilities. Results show the need for continuing medical education, public awareness, and enhanced resources to support the identification and care of children with developmental disabilities in Ghana.
AB - Proper treatment of developmental disabilities requires health workers to have adequate knowledge of etiology and referral procedures. There is a dearth of research on knowledge of developmental disabilities among health workers in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to document knowledge about developmental disorders, causes, and referral procedures among health workers. Researchers used a successive free-listing method to interview 37 health workers. Developmental disabilities which present with physical symptoms were the most salient disorders identified among health workers, while learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder were largely overlooked. The most commonly listed developmental disabilities were cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. Respondents had limited knowledge about the causes of and referral resources for developmental disabilities. Results show the need for continuing medical education, public awareness, and enhanced resources to support the identification and care of children with developmental disabilities in Ghana.
KW - Down syndrome
KW - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
KW - autism spectrum disorder
KW - cerebral palsy
KW - developmental disability
KW - intellectual disabilities
KW - language and learning disorders
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85134158879&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/20473869.2022.2097413
DO - 10.1080/20473869.2022.2097413
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85134158879
SN - 2047-3869
VL - 70
SP - 458
EP - 468
JO - International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
JF - International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
IS - 3
ER -