KIs were able to identify children with epilepsy, sensory and physical impairments. KIM is an effective and low-cost method to identify children with disability in a low-income setting.

Programmes to identify children with disability and facilitate subsequent rehabilitation or treatment need to have extensive pre-planned strategies for referral mechanisms and follow up. Although Key Informants were not the focus of investigation, the present study suggests that there is potential for the role of the Key Informants to be extended beyond that of a case detection, to inform and facilitate referral processes and encourage the uptake of services.

Even when some logistical and financial assistance is available, children with impairment from low-income families may require additional support to take up referrals. There may be greater willingness to accept treatment that is locally provided, such as medication for epilepsy or therapy at village level.

Based on the literature, a large-scale long-term study that compares the mortality rates of a screened versus unscreened patient population is required before the efficacy of any screening method can be determined definitively.