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Speech-Language Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Development and Sustainability of Services for Persons with Communication Disability

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Handbook of Speech-Language Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: Speech–language therapy (SLT) is an emerging profession in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Recent developments in SLT training in several countries including Uganda, Togo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana will gradually improve the regional availability of speech–language therapists (SLTs). However, for this relatively small number of therapists to effectively develop and influence services for persons with communication disability, consideration needs to be given to how the profession can develop in ways relevant to African contexts. This chapter raises issues surrounding the development and sustainability of the SLT profession in SSA and considers the potential contributions of the profession to the rehabilitation services for persons with communication disability. Methodology: An in-depth mixed methods survey combining both open- and closed-ended questions regarding the SLT workforce in SSA was employed between April 2012 and March 2013. A review and synthesis of the relevant literature including workforce development and rehabilitation models in the region is also included. Results: Thirty-three respondents provided information regarding availability, accessibility, acceptability, and challenges for the development and sustainability of rehabilitation services for persons with communication disability, such as job insecurity and opportunities for professional support. Discussion: The discussion integrates the implications for an emerging SLT scope of practice in SSA, issues influencing this workforce sustainability in the region, and original research from an SLT workforce survey in SSA, as well as the challenges to the development and sustainability of rehabilitation services for persons with communication disability. Recommendations are made for SLT development in countries in SSA, such as job creation in equitable service sectors.

Author Contributions: K.W. was the principal author and researcher on the project as part of her doctoral studies at the University of Sydney and while working with the University of Ghana. K.W. wrote, revised, and edited the manuscript. L.M. was the principal supervisor of K.W. and contributed significantly to the writing of section “Speech–Language Therapy and Rehabilitation Services in SSA” and manuscript revision. B.D. and J.M. were co-supervisors of K.W. and contributed significantly to the writing of section “Challenges for the Development and Sustainability of Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Communication Disability” and manuscript revision.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    With the exception of South Africa, where training has been long established.

  2. 2.

    The health and rehabilitation workforces are linked and difficult to separate. This chapter combines the evidence from both the health and rehabilitation literatures to consider workforce implications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Curtin University, School of Allied Health, Perth, WA, Australia

    Karen Wylie

  2. University of Ghana, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana

    Karen Wylie

  3. University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Lindy McAllister

  4. University of Melbourne, Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Bronwyn Davidson

  5. Manchester Metropolitan University, Health Professions Department, Manchester, UK

    Julie Marshall

  6. University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Health Sciences, Durban, South Africa

    Julie Marshall

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  1. Karen Wylie
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  2. Lindy McAllister
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  3. Bronwyn Davidson
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  4. Julie Marshall
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Correspondence to Karen Wylie .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Speech-Language Therapy and Inclusive Education, Leibniz University Hannover, Institute for Special Education, Hannover, Germany

    Ulrike M. Lüdtke

  2. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Edward Kija

  3. Department of Early Childhood and Special Needs Education, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

    Mathew Kinyua Karia

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Wylie, K., McAllister, L., Davidson, B., Marshall, J. (2023). Speech-Language Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Development and Sustainability of Services for Persons with Communication Disability. In: Lüdtke, U.M., Kija, E., Karia, M.K. (eds) Handbook of Speech-Language Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04504-2_2

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