Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange: Knowledge, skills and attitudes of families living in Dharavi, Mumbai toward disability, feeding practices and nutrition

Providing Culturally Competent Disability Services to Persons Born in other Countries
May 6 - 8, 2002

Knowledge, skills and attitudes of families living in Dharavi, Mumbai toward disability, feeding practices and nutrition

Yousafzai, A.
Institute of Child Health
London, England
A.Yousafzai@ich.ucl.ac.uk

Abstract

Attitudes arise from specific experiences and emotions, driven by cultural beliefs. Understanding societal constructs regarding disability in a culture contributes to strategies for meeting the needs of children with disabilities. In 1999, a series of foc us groups were conducted with families in a low-income community in Mumbai, India, to collect qualitative information on knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding disability, as well as feeding and nutrition. The information facilitated development of an intervention program to manage feeding and drinking difficulties in children.
The objectives were:

To describe experiences of local families with young disabled children
To identify nutritional and feeding needs of children with disabilities
To identify service, environmental or attitudinal barriers to acquiring an adequate nutrition

Analysis of the group concepts identified four emerging topics:

Acceptance of disability
ices and Needs
Future
Food and Nutrition

The findings enabled broader understanding of attitudes towards disability within this population, provided insight into intervention to help local families, incorporating an understanding of the cultural background of the local community.

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