South African stakeholders’ knowledge of community-based rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a complex concept and strategy that has been implemented in diverse ways globally and in South Africa. Internationally, some stakeholders have described CBR as confusing, and this may influence implementation. A southern African study reports that there is insufficient evidence of the understanding of CBR in the region to influence training, policy and practice.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate South African stakeholders’ knowledge of CBR.Method: This article reports on an electronic survey that was part of a larger mixed methods study. Based on the sample of 86 respondents, descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data and thematic analysis for the qualitative data.Results: The majority of respondents had had exposure to CBR, but almost a quarter had no knowledge of the CBR guidelines and matrix. The results revealed varying knowledge concerning the key concepts of CBR, its beneficiaries and its funders. Respondents identified persons with disabilities as having a central role in the implementation of CBR. Problems with the visibility of CBR programmes were noted, as well as misunderstandings by many therapists.Conclusion: The implementation of CBR, and its goal of ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, is negatively affected by the confusion attached to the understanding of what CBR is. The misunderstandings about, and lack of visibility of, CBR in South Africa may hinder its growing implementation in the country in line with new government policies.

A Situational Mapping Overview of Training Programmes for Community-Based Rehabilitation Workers in Southern Africa: Strategies for Strengthening Accessible Rural Rehabilitation Practice

“…In South African specifically, the discipline-specific training of assistants or technicians were similarly terminated and no Higher Education institution (HEI) has taken up this training (18). A compounding factor is that most NGOs that used to train have discontinued training for CRWs in contexts like South Africa due to lack of support and funding constraints (28,40). Another contributing factor is the way multidisciplinary workers have gained inadequate support from governments in Southern Africa) (41).…”

“…A responsive strategy here could be to mobilize African governments to open up posts for this workforce not only in Ministries of Health but across the sectors playing a role in community-based inclusive development implementation. Integral to this planning strategy, is the need for intersectoral budgeting particularly if we are to effectively implement disability inclusive development as a broad strategy (40).…”

Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of community-based rehabilitation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…This collaboration will facilitate necessary changes for disability-inclusive programmes that will influence implementation, training and policy, which demand that stakeholders keep abreast of the latest knowledge. 18 , 19 …”

“…Still, there is a challenge of transferring this knowledge and skills to all stakeholders, including healthcare professionals. 19 The lack of awareness and understanding of CBR by healthcare professionals and the evidence that training for healthcare professionals is deficient contributes to the misunderstanding of the purpose of CBR. 11 , 19 , 21 , 22 The lack of understanding and awareness of CBR amongst healthcare professionals can indirectly lead to negative attitudes and the disempowerment of PWDs by healthcare professionals.…”

“… 19 The lack of awareness and understanding of CBR by healthcare professionals and the evidence that training for healthcare professionals is deficient contributes to the misunderstanding of the purpose of CBR. 11 , 19 , 21 , 22 The lack of understanding and awareness of CBR amongst healthcare professionals can indirectly lead to negative attitudes and the disempowerment of PWDs by healthcare professionals. 21 Therefore, the purpose of this article was to explore the perception of healthcare professionals in KwaZulu-Natal on CBR to understand their experience and address the gaps in the implementation of successful programmes in our communities.…”