Abstract
The purpose of this article is to explain the practice, challenges and future prospects of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in Gedeo zone, a district of nearly one million inhabitants in the south of Ethiopia. The study used a mixed methods design. The quantitative part of the study involved 138 parents and care givers selected by convenient sampling technique. In addition, a total of 22 (seven female and 15 male) research participants were purposively selected from various categories: one head of zone labor and social affairs, three heads of district labor and social affairs, three representatives of associations of PWDs, 11 parents, two CBR heads, and two CBR social workers. Questionnaires and interviews were used as tools of data collection. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and thematic analysis. The finding indicated that there was no well-established CBR service provision for PWDs in Gedeo zone to ensure full participation and successful adjustment in the community. The article also revealed that a lack of trained manpower, following the charity model of CBR, and a failure to understand the modern essence of CBR were some of the major challenges that hindered the implementation of CBR service in Gedeo zone. Based on the findings, we recommend the establishment of rehabilitation centers in combination with community services in various districts of the zone. Community-based rehabilitation requires centers with skilled staff, able to empower local people in the community to develop inclusive structures. Furthermore, we suggest that the practice of CBR in Gedeo zone should empower CBR workers in community-based inclusive development.
Highlights
United Nations [UN] (2008) in Jacob (2015) states that people with disabilities (PWD) comprises those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments resulting from any physical or mental health conditions, which in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others
As no knowledge existed on the situation of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) provision, the investigation should collect relevant data to describe the situation in the whole region
It was reported by a number of respondents that there are no community awareness practices related to CBR
Summary
United Nations [UN] (2008) in Jacob (2015) states that people with disabilities (PWD) comprises those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments resulting from any physical or mental health conditions, which in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. World Health Organization [WHO] (2011) reported that PWDs are excluded from education, health, employment and other aspects of society and that this can potentially lead to or exacerbate poverty. They are not provided with appropriate rehabilitation services. It was intended to address the needs of PWDs and enable them to achieve social participation. For many PWDs, in some regions and/or communities or social groups, the only rehabilitation service was a traditional approach provided within their own communities
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