Exploring the unmet needs of adults with cerebral palsy living in urban South Africa

PurposeThe investigators aimed to understand the unmet needs of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) living in urban South Africa and to ascertain similarities or differences to typically developing (TD) adults in the same community.Materials and methodsParticipants were interviewed with an adapted version of the Southampton Needs Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ). Non-parametric statistical analysis was utilised for quantitative data and qualitative data were analysed using free coding to identify themes.ResultsThirty adults with CP (median age 34.8 years; GMFCS levels I/II/III/IV/V: n = 6/6/5/7/6; socio-economic status (SES) low/average/high: n = 8/17/5) were matched for gender, age, and SES. Adults with CP reported a higher unemployment rate and lower level of satisfaction with access to health services than TD peers. Core themes identified by the participants with CP that made community participation more difficult were physical capacity, poor access to accommodation, transport and health services, lack of socialising opportunities, poor universal design, and lack of financial independence.ConclusionsAdults with CP reported experiencing many challenges in their communities. Improved access to health care services and transport, and the universal design of housing and community buildings to accommodate individuals with a disability should be made a priority.