Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Review Article
Barriers and facilitators to participation for children and adolescents with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries – A scoping review
Submitted: 23 June 2020 | Published: 08 March 2021
About the author(s)
Karina Huus, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; and, CHILD Research Group, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; and, Swedish Institute of Disability Research (SIDR), School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, SwedenLiezl Schlebusch, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Maria Ramaahlo, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Alecia Samuels, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Ingalill Gimbler Berglund, Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; and, CHILD Research Group, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden; and, CHILD Research Group, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
Shakila Dada, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Research has shown that all children and adolescents have the right to participate in their everyday life. However, little is known about what impacts the participation of children and adolescents with disabilities living in low-and middle-income countries.
Objective: The present study undertakes a scoping review of research to synthesise the current literature about barriers and facilitators to participation in everyday life for children and adolescents with disabilities living in low- and middle-income countries.
Method: A scoping review was conducted. The databases Psyc INFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Pubmed, ERIC and African Wide information were searched for studies published between 2001 and April 2018. Data was analysed using deductive content analysis. The barriers and facilitators to participation were categorised into personal factors, social factors, environmental factors, and policy and programme factors.
Result: In the end, 17 articles were included for data extraction as they mentioned barriers and facilitators to participation for children and adolescents with disabilities. Most of the reviewed studies reported on barriers to participation. Only one of the studies was performed in a country classified as a low-income country; all other studies were performed in middle-income countries. The results indicate that some factors, especially social factors, could be perceived as both facilitators and barriers to participation.
Conclusion: There is a lack of studies describing barriers and facilitators in low- and middle- income countries. Barriers and facilitators in proximity to the child and family are most frequently described in the literature.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6732Total article views: 5674
Crossref Citations
1. A qualitative cross-sectional study exploring the implementation of disability-inclusive WASH policy commitments in Svay Reing and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia
Jane Wilbur, Pharozin Pheng, Rithysangharith Has, Sophak Kanika Nguon, Lena Morgon Banks, Chelsea Huggett, Nathaniel Scherer, Adam Biran
Frontiers in Water vol: 4 year: 2022
doi: 10.3389/frwa.2022.963405
2. What are the barriers and facilitators to participation of people with Down syndrome? A scoping review
Deisiane Oliveira Souto, Marina Oliveira de Sousa, Rafaela Guimarães Ferreira, Ana Claudia Brandão, Pedro Brandão Carrera, Hércules Ribeiro Leite
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology vol: 66 issue: 8 first page: 1013 year: 2024
doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15857
3. Construct validity of the simplified Chinese version of the instrument ‘Picture My Participation’
Linjun Shi, Mats Granlund, Yue Zhao, Karina Huus
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy vol: 31 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/11038128.2024.2348816
4. Barriers and facilitators of physical activity among school attending adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria: A qualitative study exploring views and experiences of decision‐makers in secondary schools
Busola Adebusoye, Jo Leonardi‐Bee, Revati Phalkey, Kaushik Chattopadhyay
Health Science Reports vol: 6 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.1002/hsr2.997
5. Content validity of the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-22r): A qualitative concept elicitation study
Samia Alamrani, Adrian Gardner, Deborah Falla, Emily Russell, Alison B. Rushton, Nicola R. Heneghan, Victor Afamefuna Egwuonwu
PLOS ONE vol: 18 issue: 5 first page: e0285538 year: 2023
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285538
6. Barriers and facilitators to participation in everyday activities for children with intellectual disabilities in China
Linjun Shi, Mats Granlund, Lan Wang, Karina Huus
Child: Care, Health and Development vol: 49 issue: 2 first page: 346 year: 2023
doi: 10.1111/cch.13052
7. La voix des jeunes atteints de maladies rares ou peu fréquentes : un récit croisé de leur parcours scolaire
Odet Moliner, Auxiliadora Sales
Enfance en difficulté vol: 9 first page: 57 year: 2022
doi: 10.7202/1091298ar
8. Revitalising traditional Indian games: inclusive game adaptations for children with cerebral palsy
A. Mansoor Rahman, Kavitha Raja, Jagadish Kumar
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology vol: 20 issue: 3 first page: 572 year: 2025
doi: 10.1080/17483107.2024.2389216
9. Family quality of life for families of children with disabilities in African contexts: a scoping review
Julia Jansen-van Vuuren, Reshma Parvin Nuri, Ansha Nega, Beata Batorowicz, Rosemary Lysaght, Heather Michelle Aldersey
Quality of Life Research vol: 31 issue: 5 first page: 1289 year: 2022
doi: 10.1007/s11136-021-02994-z
10. Voices of Parents in Turkey on Participation Rights of Children with Disabilities
Tuğçe Akyol
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal year: 2025
doi: 10.1007/s10560-025-01050-w
11. Participation patterns in elementary school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders and their typically developing peers
Noor Ismael, Khader Almhdawi, Ala’a Jaber, Saddam Kana'an, Sana'a Al Shlool
Journal of Children's Services vol: 18 issue: 2 first page: 121 year: 2023
doi: 10.1108/JCS-10-2021-0049
12. Quais são as barreiras e facilitadores para a participação de pessoas com Síndrome de Down? Uma Revisão de Escopo
Deisiane Oliveira Souto, Marina Oliveira de Sousa, Rafaela Guimarães Ferreira, Ana Claudia Brandão, Pedro Brandão Carrera, Hércules Ribeiro Leite
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology vol: 66 issue: 8 year: 2024
doi: 10.1111/dmcn.15886
13. Perspectives of children and young people with a sensory loss: opportunities and experiences of engagement in leisure activities
Elizabeth Fraser Selkirk Hannah
Frontiers in Education vol: 8 year: 2023
doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1248823
14. The Biblical Discourse of Disability and Implications for Religious Communities in Uganda: A Hermeneutical Review
Simon Masiga, Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala
Journal of Disability & Religion vol: 29 issue: 1 first page: 51 year: 2025
doi: 10.1080/23312521.2024.2412768
15. Utilization and impact of assistive device use on mental health among children with disabilities in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Hussaini Zandam, Surajo Kamilu Sulaiman, Ashiru Hamza Mohammad, Abdulwali Sabo
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology vol: 20 issue: 7 first page: 2094 year: 2025
doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2524062
16. Developing and implementing a model of care for athletes living with disabilities: A protocol
Siyabonga H. Kunene
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 79 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/sajp.v79i1.1868
17. Family Stigma and Community Participation of Arab Children and Youth with Disabilities
Shirli Werner, Doaa Freg, Israa Amer Sarsour
Journal of Child and Family Studies vol: 32 issue: 11 first page: 3526 year: 2023
doi: 10.1007/s10826-023-02674-1
18. Participation restriction of children with cerebral palsy living in Thailand and influential factors: A cross-sectional study
Teerada Ploypetch, Chanokbhorn Buasuk, Kingkaew Pajareya
Developmental Neurorehabilitation vol: 25 issue: 6 first page: 392 year: 2022
doi: 10.1080/17518423.2022.2047121
19. Benefits and challenges of engaging Majority World children in interdisciplinary, multi-qualitative-method, mental health research
Michelle O’Reilly, Sadiyya Haffejee, Seyda Eruyar, Grace Sykes, Panos Vostanis
International Journal of Social Research Methodology vol: 27 issue: 2 first page: 219 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/13645579.2022.2153977
20. Disability Inclusive Youth (DIY) Research: an innovative and co-creative study to improve inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in health research in East Africa: a mixed-method study protocol
Femke Bannink Mbazzi, David John Musendo, Gatera Fiston Kitema, Joyce Muhenge Olenja, Andrew Sentoogo Ssemata
Wellcome Open Research vol: 10 first page: 578 year: 2025
doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24916.1
21. Primary healthcare rehabilitation users’ views on activity limitations and participation in South Africa
Lebogang J. Maseko, Fasloen Adams, Hellen Myezwa
African Journal of Disability vol: 13 year: 2024
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1391