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. 2005 May;10(5):269-72.
doi: 10.1093/pch/10.5.269.

Children with disabilities in low-income countries

Debra L Cameron  1 , Stephanie Nixon, Penny Parnes, Mia Pidsadny
Affiliations

Children with disabilities in low-income countries

Debra L Cameron et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2005 May.

Abstract
in English, French

Disability is a major public health concern worldwide and the situation for children with disabilities is even more serious. The present article will focus on the issue of children with disabilities in low-income countries. Approximately one-third of the world's disabled population is children and many of these disabling conditions are preventable. In Africa, one the foremost causes of disability is infectious and communicable disease; the incidence of these diseases have been greatly reduced or eliminated in higher income countries. Other causes include war, trauma, accidents, and congenital and noninfectious diseases. The recent HIV/AIDS epidemic has further contributed to the prevalence of disability because many people living with HIV develop different types of impairments and functional limitations. Community-based rehabilitation is one approach that has been used in many low-income countries and which often focuses on children and their families. The work of one organization providing community-based rehabilitation in Tanzania is highlighted. The experiences of the coauthors in their work in Tanzania provide some field examples. For those readers who would like to become involved in international health, opportunities for engagement are described, including short-and long-term volunteer service or research experiences.

Les incapacités constituent une préoccupation importante en santé publique dans le monde, et la situation des enfants ayant des incapacités est encore plus grave. Le présent article porte sur les enfants ayant des incapacités vivant dans des pays à faibles revenus. Dans le monde, environ le tiers des populations ayant des incapacités sont constituées d’enfants, et bon nombre des pathologies sont évitables. En Afrique, l’une des principales causes d’invalidité provient des maladies infectieuses et transmissibles, dont l’incidence est très réduite ou inexistante dans les pays à revenus plus élevés. Parmi les autres causes, soulignons la guerre, les traumatismes, les accidents et les maladies congénitales et non infectieuses. La récente épidémie de VIH-sida a favorisé la prévalence d’incapacités, car de nombreuses personnes atteintes du VIH présentent divers types de déficiences et de limites fonctionnelles. La réadaptation dans la collectivité est utilisée dans de nombreux pays à faibles revenus et est souvent axée sur les enfants et leur famille. Les travaux d’un organisme qui offre une réadaptation dans la collectivité en Tanzanie sont mis en lumière. Les expériences des coauteurs dans leurs travaux en Tanzanie fournissent quelques expériences sur le terrain. Pour les lecteurs intéressés à s’engager en santé internationale, des possibilités d’engagement sont décrites, y compris des services volontaires à court et à long terme ou des expériences de recherche.

Keywords: Children; Disabilities; Health care; Low-income countries.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Young girl in Tanzania practising standing by using a tree limb nailed between two trees for support
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. United Nations Children’s Fund. At a glance: Tanzania, United Republic of (2003) www.unicef.org/infobycountry/tanzania.html> (Version current at May 4, 2005)
    1. United Nations Development Program. Human development report 2003. hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2003/> (Version current at May 4, 2005)
    1. Inclusion International. 2004. project.tomekklas.com/en/> (Version current at May 4, 2005)
    1. Peat M. Community Based Rehabilitation. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1997.
    1. World Health Organization, Disability and Rehabilitation Team. Disability and rehabilitation status: Review of disability issues and rehabilitation services in 29 African countries. 2003. < www.who.int> (Version current at May 13, 2005)