International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705
Bevin. M. Sichilindi, Delina Nanjekana Munkoyo & Francis Simui
Institute of Distance Education, University of Zambia
Abstract: This study focused on unearthing existing support strategies to improve access to Health Services for Learners with Hearing Impairments (LwHI) in Mpika district of Zambia. A qualitative methodology driven by Hermeneutics Phenomenology research design was applied. In addition, a purposive sampling technique was used to enlist Ten LwHI to participate in this study. Participants volunteered to voice their lived experiences and clusters of themes emerged thereafter. Emergent from the lived experiences of LwHI was to explore supported strategies in use to improve access to health services for learners with hearing impairment or deaf people that represent their felt worlds while at Musakanya combined school. The findings of the study revealed some strategies in use to improve access to health services for LwHI or deaf people such as sensitization of health workers, involvement of LwHI in decision making, licensed professional interpreters, mandatory sign language training for health workers, use of assistive technology devices, extra time for medical consultation and universal sign language dictionary. Based on the findings of the current study are eight recommendations among which include: inclusive policy, active involvement, communication, mandatory training of sign language to health workers, assistive technology, employ specialist interpreters, separate counter for hearing impaired and improve on health education.
Key Words: Lived Experiences, Hearing Impairment, Health Services, Musakanya School, Zambia
I. CONTEXT
This paper is an excerpt from the principal researcher’s Master of Special Education dissertation. The Master’s programme was offered by the University of Zambia (UNZA) and has been running since 2020 (Manchishi, Simui, Ndhlovu & Thompson, 2020). The University of Zambia is a public university with a history of more than 50 years (Mundende, Simui, Chishiba, Mwewa & Namangala, 2016). The available research on access to health services by learners with hearing impairments has shown that a large number of learners with hearing impairment health services are unmet due to several factors (Mwanangombe, Mundende, Muzata, Muleya, Kanyamuna & Simui, 2020). This affects the learner’s academic performance negative due to absence from school at Musakanya combined school.