A Low-intensity Approach for Early Intervention and Detection of Childhood Disability in Central Java: Long-term Findings and Implications for “Inclusive Development”

Authors

  • Pim Kuipers Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Queensland Health & Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, PO Box 6053, Buranda, Qld. 4102
  • Jonathan Maratmo CBR Development and Training Centre, Solo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v22i3.48

Keywords:

Community based rehabilitation, Qualitative research methods, Long-term outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: This paper describes a qualitative follow-up study, conducted eight years after completion of a low-intensity early intervention and detection of childhood disability project in Central Java, Indonesia. The original project sought to increase the level of skills and engagement of existing community health volunteers, for the support of children with disabilities. This followup study explored long-term outcomes and implications for the inclusive development approach.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 of the original volunteers. Interview notes were translated and thematically categorised.

Results: While the study was qualitative and descriptive, results indicate that despite the low intensity of the project, some early detection and prevention activities were still going on eight years later.

Conclusions: The study suggests that a low-intensity initiative such as this, which is closely aligned with the goals of a government department, may indeed achieve some ongoing change by extending the focus of the department towards disability-related concerns.

Implications: Implications are drawn for the emerging area of “inclusive development”, which similarly seeks to promote change in mainstream services for the benefit of people with disabilities.

Author Biographies

Pim Kuipers, Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Queensland Health & Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, PO Box 6053, Buranda, Qld. 4102

Dr. Pim Kuipers is Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Queensland Health, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Australia. With degrees in psychology and rehabilitation, he has worked as a psychologist in disability and rehabilitation services for a number of years.  As a health services researcher, with a focus on improving health and rehabilitation services in community settings, he has conducted and led research in areas of health service delivery, systematic synthesis of qualitative reports, rural and remote primary health care, indigenous health, community-based rehabilitation, and disability services, specifically for people with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

 

Dr. Kuipers has worked as a disability services project advisor in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and has also advised and evaluated numerous CBR projects in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Pakistan. His research interests include the application of qualitative and mixed methods research, community integration after injury, family and patient engagement in health care, allied health practice, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and particularly disability and development issues in developing countries.

Jonathan Maratmo, CBR Development and Training Centre, Solo

Jonathan Maratmo is CBR-DTC Advisor, CBR Development and Training Center, Solo Indonesia.  He is a long term worker in the area of CBR and disability, with practical and management experience.

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Published

2012-02-15

How to Cite

1.
Kuipers P, Maratmo J. A Low-intensity Approach for Early Intervention and Detection of Childhood Disability in Central Java: Long-term Findings and Implications for “Inclusive Development”. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2012 Feb. 15 [cited 2024 May 17];22(3):3-14. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/47

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles