Effect of Socio-Cultural Implications of Caring for Children With Intellectual Disability on the Wellbeing of Families in Nakuru Municipality, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to explore the effect of socio-cultural implications of caring for children with ID on well-being of families in Nakuru municipality, Nakuru County Kenya. This study was guided by the family system theory. It adopted the descriptive research design where life experiences of families of children living with intellectual disabilities were assessed using semistructured interviews. A sample of 84 families was selected from the families of 503 students attending eight special schools for the mentally handicapped using a multi-stage sampling plan that combined proportionate cluster sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The resultant data was analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, the thematic content analysis technique. Results show that 42.9% of the families of children with intellectual disability in Nakuru Municipality have low state of well-being. Stigmatization by the extended family and disruption in family relationship were the socio-cultural factors that have a significant influence on family well-being. The study recommends that to improve the well-being of families of children with ID, policymakers at the Ministry of Health should develop and rollout nationwide sensitization campaign aimed at addressing negative misconception about intellectual disability in order to reduce stigmatization of families.

A step of faith: The experiences of street children in search of survival in Nakuru City, Kenya and its implications on policy

“…The studies indicate that reintegration back into the community is more preferred than institutionalization that is characterized by stigmatization even in the post reintegration period. In some instance, CCI care may not be successful and the child may ran back to the streets (Njoroge et al, 2013; Onwong'a, 2013).…”