Anna McNally

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Country: Ireland
Background:  Microbiology

Research Project: Examining the experiences of carers and parents of children with disabilities in Moshi town, Tanzania; a qualitative study.

Objectives: Gain an insight into how having a disabled child has impacted upon participants lives; examine if participants have experienced any negative stigma or discrimination as a result of having a disabled child, investigate if participants experience carer burden and examine their positive experiences of caring for a child with a disability.

Method: The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature and followed a phenomenological method. Convenience sampling methods were used to recruit fourteen carers of children with disabilities in Moshi town, Tanzania. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with all participants. The interviews ranged in length from 25-50 minutes and were conducted through a translator.
Findings: Data was inductively analysed manually by the researcher. A number of themes emerged which shed light on the experiences of carers; objective challenges in terms of financial and employment issues as well as the demands of care, along with subjective challenges in the form of stigma, isolation and pity. The child’s progress, respect and happiness were all seen as positive experiences by participants. Participants identified both material and financial needs. In order to deal with the challenges participants use a range of coping mechanisms these include their beliefs, support from different sources and various attitudes.
Conclusions: The findings of this research suggest that objective challenges are common and more significant than subjective challenges. Positive experiences are not as easily identified by the participants as the challenges, but having analysed the data it is felt that the carers do not see their job as entirely negative. This study concludes with recommendations for the setting up of peer support networks for parents so that they can deal better with the subjective burden. Emotional support through peer support networks could improve stress levels among carers. An extension of the hours of care provided by the day care centres run by BCC would enable better opportunities for carers to work and earn a living thus reducing their needs, the financial challenges they face and the objective burden.

Key Words: disability, caregiving, Tanzania, burden, coping strategies.