Involvement of Fathers and Siblings in Home Rehabilitation Programmes of Children With Neuro-Developmental Delay: Insights From Rehabilitation Professionals in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Precious Madzimbe, Jermaine Dambi, Lieselotte Corten and 1 others
PMID 40126135WHAT IT FOUND
Rehabilitation professionals in Zimbabwe identified fathers as providing essential emotional and financial support, while siblings offer companionship and play-based assistance.
Cultural norms and work schedules were key barriers. These findings describe professional observations, not tested interventions.
Key findings
01Professionals observed that fathers provide moral support to reduce maternal burnout and financial resources for equipment, but are often excluded from daily care due to cultural norms.
02Siblings were seen as vital for play therapy and creating a safer environment, though their involvement is limited by age and school commitments.
03Increasing family understanding of the child's condition was identified as a key facilitator to reduce blame and encourage active participation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relies entirely on professional perceptions, not direct data from families or children. Conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Zimbabwe, so findings may not apply to other settings or healthcare levels. Small sample size (18 participants) limits generalizability. Social workers and community health workers were not included.
Declared interests
No specific conflicts of interest were reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that involving fathers and siblings improves child rehabilitation outcomes. The study reports professionals' observations of barriers and roles, not the effectiveness of any intervention.