A qualitative exploration to inform an oral health training for disability care workers in Burkina Faso

Introduction Significant inequalities in oral health needs exist among people with intellectual and developmental disability in low-income settings such as Burkina Faso. Aim To explore enablers and barriers to the creation of an oral health training for caregivers of children with disabilities at specialized centres in Ouagadougou. Method This was a formative study informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) using qualitative methods comprising observations at five centres for disability and semi-structured interviews with 14 caregivers. Results A successful training facilitation to caregivers must account for resources available in centres, part of the training must be dedicated to healthy diets and provide ideas for lowering sugar consumption and the training must empower caregivers with practical skills and tools to manage regular toothbrushing and identification of child oral health needs. Discussion These observations and interviews enabled us to gather valuable and unique perspectives into the everyday functioning of centres for disability, and the professional and personal role of caregivers working with children with disabilities in Ouagadougou. Implications for practice Teams planning oral health promotion activities in low resourced settings for vulnerable population groups can benefit from the methodology and results of this research for ensuring their interventions are appropriate and relevant. Relevance statement This is a unique field study conducted in a scarcely researched area of caregiving practices for children with disabilities in a low-income country, Burkina Faso. Results from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low-resourced settings. Psychiatric and mental health nursing practices are highly context-dependent, thus using proposed qualitative methods can help to ensure that planned interventions are appropriate and relevant. Accessible summary What is known on the subject? People with disabilities often suffer from oral disease and lack opportunities to access oral care, especially in low-income countries such as Burkina Faso. Their caregivers and nurses lack training in oral health, necessary resources, and motivation to take care of oral hygiene and diet. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? This paper provides a detailed description of the everyday activities and functioning of disability care centres in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and insider perspectives related to the struggles, joys, and motivation of carers in performing their work activities. This paper adds new knowledge about the reality of disability care in Burkina Faso and gives practical information to teams planning health promotion activities in similar contexts, focusing primarily on oral health promotion and training. What are the implications for practice? Dedicating effort to improving the oral health of people with disabilities depends largely on nurses and carers having necessary resources including materials, practical skills, time and support to be empowered in their duties. Results: from the disability centre observations and interviews with local caregivers are of great value to any team planning health projects in similar low-resourced settings with mental health nurses or carers.