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Best practices in the socio-economic rehabilitation of persons affected by leprosy and other marginalised people in their communities: findings from nine evaluations in Bangladesh, India and Africa

VELEEMA, Johan P
2008

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This paper presents an overview of findings from the formal evaluation of 9 socio-economic rehabilitation programmes (SER), in 4 countries in Africa, in Bangladesh and in India from 2002-2005. Bringing together the recommendations resulted in a description of best practices in the implementation of socio-economic rehabilitation programmes, derived from actual experiences in different contexts.

All the 9 programmes focused on supporting individual leprosy-affected beneficiaries or their families. Four projects also supported other marginalised clients. The usual interventions were micro-credit, housing and sponsoring of education for the children.

The recommendations touched upon each of the five steps in individual rehabilitation: Selection of clients, needs assessment, choosing an intervention, monitoring / follow--up of clients during rehabilitation, and separation at the end of the rehabilitation process. The evaluators also suggested ways in which participation of the client in their own rehabilitation might be boosted, made recommendations for the organisational structure of programmes, on maximising community involvement and emphasised the importance of information systems and of investing in the programme staff. A number of recommendations were specific to the types of interventions implemented i.e, housing, education or micro-credit.

Evidence of the impact of SER on the quality of life of clients is limited, but suggests increased self-esteem and increased respect/status in the family and community.

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, vol.19, no.1, 2008

Impact of socio-economic rehabilitation on leprosy stigma in Northern Nigeria: findings of a retrospective study

EBENSO, Bassey
FASHONA, Aminat
AYUBA, Mainas
IDAH, Mike
ADEYEMI, Gbemiga
S-FADA, Shehu
2007

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This study explored the perceptions of people affected by leprosy regarding impact of socio-economic rehabilitation (SER) on stigma-reduction. The study combined a quantitative questionnaire (the P-scale) with semi-structured interviews of 20 individual SER participants, five focus group discussions and 10 key informant interviews. The P-scale results showed four men suffered significant participation restrictions (scores of >12 points) in finding work and in social integration. The narratives of SER participants, focus groups and key informants showed that SER improved self-esteem, financial independence, acquisition of new skills, and access to public institutions. The authors speculate that through the pathway of improvements in economic and living conditions, SER is beginning to influence the process of social interaction, resulting in positive attitudinal change towards SER participants. The subjective opinions of interviewees suggest that improved self-esteem, positive family and community support for SER participants and increasing participation in community activities are indications of stigma-reduction.

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 18, No 2

CBR: a participatory strategy in Africa

HARTLEY, Sally
Ed
2002

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This resource provides an important contribution and understanding of how community-based rehabilitation (CBR) operates in Africa. It contains the experiences and reflections of key stakeholders within CBR from 14 African countries. It will contribute to a more mutual and holistic understanding of the concept of CBR and bring about the development of new initiatives. This book is useful tool for CBR planners, policy-makers and managers

Training of CBR personnel : current issues future trends

THORBURN, M J
2000

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This paper reviews the main trends that have taken place in training persons for CBR work in the last twenty years. It stresses the relevance of the Canadian manpower model to CBR and the logical approach to training generated. New trends for the near future are outlined and a need for more research is seen as crucial to future developments

Towards the 21st century : challenges for community based rehabilitation in Asia and the Pacific regions

TJANDRAKUSUMA, Handojo
1998

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This paper deals with the concept of CBR as seen by a section of practitioners in the Asia Pacific region. In their view, CBR is a form of a community development programme onto which different components of rehabilitation are grafted, rather than a specialised programme meant exclusively for disabled people. In such a programme, the change in the community's behaviour towards disabled people is more vital to promote inclusion than changes in the disabled people themselves. The paper also deals with the major constraints to the wider application of CBR

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