STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NURSING PROFESSION

1.1 Introduction

Disability is a common health issue in both developed and developing countries (World Health Organization, 2011; Marella et al, 2015; Islam et al, 2016). Recent estimates have shown that more than 1 billion individuals are living with some form of disability worldwide, of whom nearly 93 million are children (World Health Organization, 2011). Today, it is perceived that learning disabilities is as a result of minimum brain destruction and dysfunction in the central nervous system owing to neurological developmental lag resulting in clumsiness, restlessness and inattention. And learning is a process by which neurons joined by developing the synapses between them so, a relative influence of brain damage account for ineffective cognitive process which manifest during learning (Wadlington, 2008).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Global prevalence of disability is expected to be increased in the following decades mainly due to the growing ageing population (Marella et al, 2015; Islam et al, 2016), the increased risk of disability in elderly people and the global rise in chronic diseases (Lutz & Bowers, 2003; Zheng et al, 2011; Marella et al, 2015; Islam et al, 2016).

Today, intellectually, physically, or emotionally disabled individuals comprise a significant portion of the world population (Sen & Yurtsever 2007, 238). Of the world's population of nearly 6.5 billion in 2004, 18.6 million (2.9%) were severely disabled and another 79.7 million (12.4%) had moderate longterm disability. Disability prevalences rise strongly with age (WHO 2004, 33). The average global prevalence of moderate and severe disability ranges from 5% in children aged 0 - 14 years, to 15% in adults aged 15 - 59 years, and 46% in adults aged 60 years and older. At all ages, both moderate and severe levels of disability are higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries; they are also higher in Africa than in other low- and middle-income countries. Older people make up a greater proportion of the population in high-income countries, but have lower levels of disability than their counterparts in low- and middle-income countries.

Disability is also more common among children in the low- and middle-income countries. Moderate disability rates are similar for males and females in high-income countries, but females have somewhat higher rates of severe disability. In low- and middle income countries, male and female disability rates are similar, although females aged 15—59 years tend to have higher levels of moderate disability in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific WHO 2004, 34-35).

Attitudes towards disability seem to vary globally since are being shaped by people’s culture and current policies. Interestingly, attitudes are not strongly associated with the financial resources of each country but with the sense of social responsibility for providing equal opportunities to all society members (Lutz & Bowers, 2003; Hughes et al, 2012; Francis & Silvers, 2016). In spite of considerable recent advances in minimizing misperception of different types of disability, persons still experience various challenges such as inequalities in life opportunities, limited access to education or to health care and generally poor accommodation of their needs. Positive societal attitudes may eliminate all obstacles and facilitate acceptance of disability by family, friends, and potential employers (Lutz & Bowers, 2003; Au & Man, 2006; World Health Organization, 2011; Zheng et al, 2011; Satchidanand et al, 2012).

As a result of this, health care professionals are greatly needed to provide services for this growing number of disabled people. A Call to Action was launched in US to improve the health and wellness status of men, women and children with disabilities (Smeltzer 2007, 189). Mantzious et al., (2002, 1) complained in Greece ,of communication problems and poor relationships with health professionals, delays in detection and treatment, insufficient information, guidance and support, inadequate specialized holistic care and lack of home care services.

Among nursing students, a measurement of attitudes towards patients with disabilities is important in determining areas of either success or deficit in established nursing curriculums regarding care of the patient with a disability. This study serves to collect data regarding the attitudes of nursing students enrolled in a Baccalaureate program at a southeastern university in the United States. The revision and improvement of nursing curriculum regarding evidence-based practice and current data serves to directly impact healthcare outside of the educational setting.

This study is very important in the sense that, the results will give information on the status of students' attitude towards people with disabilities. Results will also enlighten the educators, health professionals, counselors and work practice employers to design programs that will improve the attitude of students toward people with disabilities.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Students’ Attitudes toward People with Disabilities in the Nursing Profession.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that with reference to brain damage, and neurological developmental lag, it can be deduced that they are casually correlated with basic psychological process. It is pertinent to assert here in this study therefore that a child who suffered from ineffective cognitive process cannot perform well academically. These problems can obstruct a one in learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math.

Also, Steele (2008) opined they can interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention. It is pertinent to realize that learning disabilities can affect an individual’s life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace. Since difficulties with reading, writing and/or math are recognizable problems during the school years, the signs and symptoms of learning disabilities are most often diagnosed during that time.

The problem of poor academic performance among students has become an issue of concern to education stakeholders. Parents spend their hard earned money despite the difficult economic situation to see that their children are given quality education. The government on her own part has trained and employed quality teachers with improved curriculum to ensure better performance, all to no avail.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to explore the Students’ Attitudes toward People with Disabilities in the Nursing Profession. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To investigate the attitude of nursing students towards people with disabilities and demographic variables that influences this attitude;
2. To determine the level of knowledge of student nurses on specific learning disabilities and inclusive education;
3. To examine the factors instigating the Students’ Attitudes toward People with Disabilities in the Nursing Profession; and
4. To determine the education of nurse students that will significantly increase acceptance of persons with disabilities and facilitate their inclusion in society.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the attitude of nursing students towards people with disabilities and demographic variables that influences this attitude?
• What is the level of knowledge of student nurses on specific learning disabilities and inclusive education?
• What are the factors instigating the Students’ Attitudes toward People with Disabilities in the Nursing Profession?
• What is the education of nurse students that will significantly increase acceptance of persons with disabilities and facilitate their inclusion in society?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is existence of negative attitude among the nursing students regardless of cultural background
• H1: There is existence of positive attitude among the nursing students regardless of cultural background

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There are no significant factors instigating the attitude of student nurse toward people with disabilities
• H1: There are significant factors instigating the attitude of student nurse toward people with disabilities

1.7 Significance of Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Students’ Attitudes toward People with Disabilities in the Nursing Profession using Enugu State University Teaching Hospital as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Physically challenged: physical disability is a limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina, other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, sleep disorders and epilepsy

Children: Biologically, a child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.

Nutrition: Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion.