Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Toward Provision of Primary Healthcare Services for Differently-Abled Persons in Obudu Lga, Cross River State Nigeria

ABSTRACT Disability is frequently portrayed negatively, resulting in reduced social status and influencing societal perceptions. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers in Obudu LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria, regarding primary healthcare services for differently-abled individuals. Conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study, the study focused on four objectives, and one hypothesis. A total of 139 healthcare providers were selected using a multistage sampling technique, and data collection was performed via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS Version 23 and Microsoft Excel, utilizing frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Department of Public Health Ethical Clearance Committee, University of Calabar, Nigeria. All questionnaires were completed, yielding a 100% response rate. Majority of 48(35.3%) respondents were between the age of 18-35. Most respondents 76(55.9%) were female. About 44(32.4%) of the respondents were CHEW. The study found that 45.6% had a fair knowledge of healthcare for differently-abled individuals, 33.1% had poor knowledge, and about 21.6% had good knowledge to provision of healthcare services to the elderly, while 83.1% had a positive attitude and less-than one-fifth (16.9%) showed negative attitude towards provision of healthcare services to differently-abled persons, about, 76.5% demonstrated good practices toward provision of care for differently-abled persons in the health facility. Regular professional training (77.2%), availability of assistive resources (69.1%), and guidelines and policies (51.5%) were key factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and practices, whereas beliefs and values were the least influential (21.3%). a statistically significant association between a high level of knowledge about primary healthcare services for differently-abled individuals and respondents aged 18 to 35 years (χ2 = 21.596, p