Title of Work

Using Community-based Interventions to Reduce Public Stigma of Children with Disabilities: A Feasibility Study

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

6-9-2021

Journal Title

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

Volume

34

Issue

6

First Page

1499

Last Page

1510

DOI

doi.org/10.1111/jar.12894

Abstract

Background: Public stigma, or negative community-held beliefs, about children with disabilities (CWDs) often leads to negative outcomes for CWD and their families. This study considers the effectiveness of four community-level interventions to reduce public stigma in two Lusaka, Zambia communities.

Methods: This feasibility study describes four community-based interventions to provide education to consider whether perceptions of attitudes and stigma towards CWD changed after implementing four educational interventions.

Results: Results revealed that these interventions were achievable. Preliminary multiple regression analyses indicated a significant impact of attending an event on the attitude scale, while no effect on the stigma scale. Presence at multiple anti-stigma events exhibited no effect for the stigma scale, while the attitude scale showed significance.

Discussion: This study builds on the limited research available in low-income countries to reduce public stigma towards CWD, with the hope of enhance quality of life for CWD and their families.

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