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Background
Children with disabilities are extremely vulnerable and are in dire need of early detection for medical treatment. However, the vast majority of children with disability in Bangladesh are unlikely to reach a hospital or medical service due the lack of service access in remote and rural areas of the country. The majority of referral services for medical intervention, rehabilitation and education facilities are often located in major cities and are hence out of reach geographically and financially. For rational planning to assist disabled children, effective population based data on magnitude, causes and impact of impairments and disabilities is essential. Unfortunately a lack of such data in Bangladesh exists.
Aim
(1) To develop a methodology for low-income countries like Bangladesh to identify children with disabilities while also gathering useful epidemiological data on childhood disabilities in Bangladesh using the Key Informant Method (KIM).
(2) To gain insight into the daily lives of children with disability living in regional and rural areas of Bangladesh.
Method
Using the Key informant method of case identification our mobile medical team including a paediatrician, ophthalmologist, and ENT specialist, conducted assessments and diagnosis of children with suspected disability in Sirajganj and Natore.
We also conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with children with disability, their parents, community members and service providers to find out about factors impacting the lives of children with disability.
Results
Over 8,000 children with disability were assessed.
Conclusion
Abstracts