Access to Healthcare Services Among Children with Cerebral Palsy in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

Children with cerebral palsy have quite a lot of challenges in accessing health care than those without disabilities. The purpose of the study was to explore the factors that influence parents in accessing healthcare services for their children with cerebral palsy. This study used a qualitative cross-sectional design using phenomenology. A total of 15 participants comprising parents of children with disabilities and healthcare providers provided data through in-depth interviews following written informed consent. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was adopted in the analysis of the data using Nvivo 12. Fifteen IDIs were completed: 10 parents of children with cerebral palsy and 5 healthcare providers. The study findings revealed individual factors such as transportation cost, distance to a health facility, and stigmatization as well as healthcare factors such as availability of specialized services, the attitude of health professionals, the physical environment of hospitals, and the availability of rehabilitation specialists influence parents access to healthcare services for their children with cerebral palsy. Access to healthcare services for children with cerebral palsy is influenced by individual factors (parental) and healthcare factors.