Abstract:
This descriptive research based on mixed method composed of quantitative and qualitative methods aimed to determine the success factors on caring for people with physical disabilities affecting their quality of life. The data were approached from people with physical disabilities, caregivers, and community leaders in four sub districts such as Jedeehak, Hinkong, Namphu, and Huaypai, Muang district, Ratchaburi province.
The subjects in quantitative collecting data were 70 handicapped people classified in 4th level while the 35 subjects in qualitative collecting data were 10 handicapped people, 11 caregivers, 10 community leaders and public health volunteers and 4 public health officers. The research instruments were quality of life questionnaire for quantitative method and semi-structured interview, In-depth interview and focus group discussion for qualitative method. The data were collected between February and March, 2011 and then descriptive statistic was used for quantitative data analysis and content analysis was approached for qualitative data
The study findings revealed that, as for the personal data, the majority of subjects (61.4 %) resided in Jedeehak sub district. They aged between 70-79 years old (34.3%). The length of disability less than 10 years (68.6%), male (62.9%), marriage status (58.6%), extended family (65.7%) and majority of them were family members (60%), education level were in primary school (77.1%), unemployed (72.8%), family income were between 5,001 10,000 baths (37.1%) that rather afford for payment but not enough for saving (47.1%), lastly, they never be trained for occupation (95.7%)
As for the score of quality of life, the total score was at medium level ( = 3.52, S.D. = .46), when considering in each category, quality of life in life satisfaction was at high level ( = 3.70, S.D. = .41), while the others were at medium level. Moreover, when considering in each item, the highest score was at the item of the satisfaction on supports from friends and intimate persons ( = 4.51, S.D. = .79), the next range was at the item of the satisfaction on caring from others ( = 4.49, S.D.=.65), whereas the lowest score was at the item of shame feeling in their disabilities ( = 2.26, S.D. = 1.45)
The qualitative study findings revealed that, the success factors on caring for people with physical disabilities affecting their quality of life were as followings,
The personal factors supporting their quality of life were innovating various instruments for care themselves, the length of disabilities, and adaptability. Accepting their disabilities made them assess themselves for high quality of life that affected from many causes such as the long length of disabilities, unoccupied only in their disabilities, potential in innovating instruments for sustained their lives.
The family factors such as there were main caregivers that someone resigned from work for caring merely, the handicapped people were perceived as the one significant member in their family, all these were affected on their perception on quality of life.
The community factors such as community participation, supporting system and friend supporting, environment and rural area lifestyle.
The social factors such as beliefs in fate, gratefulness and humanity, all these also affected on their quality of lives.