Lived experiences of learners with hearing impairment at Musakanya combined school in Mpika district: focus on access to health services.
Date
2022-06-17
Authors
Sichlindi, Bevin. M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
This study focuses on lived experiences of learners with Hearing Impairments (LwHI) when accessing health services in Zambia. From the evidence from the health institution records showed that a significantly low number visit health institution for health issues.
The research objectives that guided this study were to:
i. explore lived experiences of learners with hearing impairment when accessing health services,
ii. describe the effects of poor health services on academic performance of learners with hearing impairment and
iii. explore supported strategies in use to improve access to health services for learners with hearing impairment or deaf people.
A qualitative methodology driven by Hermeneutics Phenomenology research design was applied. In addition, purposive sampling technique was used to enlist Ten LwHI to participate in this study. Participants volunteered to voice their lived experiences and clusters of themes emerged thereafter. Emergent from the lived experiences of LwHI were the lived experiences of LwHI when accessing health services, poor health services Vs academic performance of LwHI and improving access to health services for LwHI that represent their felt worlds while at Musakanya combined school.
The findings of the study revealed that most of the LwHI health services were unmet due to inaccessibility to better health services caused by poor communication, wrong diagnosis, lack of privacy and confidentiality, discrimination, inadequate medical vocabulary for signs, poor health education, Limited Institutional support staff and Negative attitude.
The study also unearthed that LwHI experienced poor health services which resulted into poor academic performance due to absenteeism, prolonged admission at hospitals and low self-esteem leading to dropping out of school. The study also looked at the strategies to use to improve access to health services for LwHI or deaf people such as sensitization of health workers, involvement of LwHI in decision making, licensed professional interpreters, mandatory sign language training for health workers, use of assistive technology devices, extra time for medical consultation and universal sign language dictionary.
Based on the findings of the current study, the researcher provides eight (8) recommendations among which include: inclusive policy, active involvement, communication, mandatory training of sign language to health workers, assistive technology, employ specialist interpreters, separate counter for hearing impaired and improve on health education.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Hearing impaired--Education. , Deaf--Education.