Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible ways of assisting married women who are adventitiously blinded in Machakos District, kenya. Being a global issue, the socio-economic predicaments have not been identified and sufficiently addressed by researchers in Africa and specifically in Kenya. This is contrary to the government’s effort to provide free rehabilitation for persons with visual impairment. Therefore, their integration into the societal fabric is wanting. The study sampled married women who are adventitiously blinded in Machakos district and how their becoming blinded affected them. The researcher first identified and sampled married women who were adventitiously blinded in Machakos District employing purposive sampling and snowball techniques. Purposive sampling was used in Machakos Rehabilitation Institute because it was reliable while snowball technique was used to identify married women who are adventitiously blinded who were not residing in the Rehabilitation Institute. Using both sampling techniques, 20 cases of adventitiously blinded married women were purposively selected to participate in the study from a target population of 50 married women who are adventitiously blinded. Data were collected through face-to-face structured interview schedules for the rehabilitatees, institute personnels that are blinded and married women who are adventitiously blinded outside the institute. The results from the semi-structured interviews were manually coded and narrated. The structured interview method was preferred because the participants could not read printed materials. Data was analyzed thematically according to the objectives of the study. All the coded data under major themes of topics were assembled. The study concluded that married women who are adventitiously blinded have historically been neglected. Issues of disability must be prioritized by all stakeholders. Married women who are adventitiously blinded needs spousal companionship and lack of access to educational information concerning them should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations