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Original Research
Inclusion of vulnerable groups in health policies: Regional policies on health priorities in Africa
Submitted: 07 July 2012 | Published: 22 January 2013
About the author(s)
Margie Schneider, Psychology Department, Stellenbosch University, South AfricaArne Henning Eide, SINTEF Technology and Society, Norway
Mutamad Amin, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan
Malcom MacLachlan, Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Hasheem Mannan, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Ireland
Abstract
Objectives: This paper reports on an analysis of 11 African Union (AU) policy documents to ascertain the frequency and the extent of mention of 13 core concepts in relation to 12 vulnerable groups, with a specific focus on people with disabilities.
Method: The paper applied the EquiFrame analytical framework to the 11 AU policy documents. The 11 documents were analysed in terms of how many times a core concept was mentioned and the extent of information on how the core concept should be addressed at the implementation level. Each core concept mention was further analysed in terms of the vulnerable group in referred to.
Results: The analysis of regional AU policies highlighted the broad nature of the reference made to vulnerable groups, with a lack of detailed specifications of different needs of different groups. This is confirmed in the highest vulnerable group mention being for ‘universal’. The reading of the documents suggests that vulnerable groups are homogeneous in their needs, which is not the case. There is a lack of recognition of different needs of different vulnerable groups in accessing health care.
Conclusion: The need for more information and knowledge on the needs of all vulnerable groups is evident. The current lack of mention and of any detail on how to address needs of vulnerable groups will significantly impair the access to equitable health care for all.
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