Availability and Accessibility of Rehabilitation Services for Children with Disabilities in Kano Metropolis

Rehabilitation services are essential for improving physical and social participation among children with disabilities, globally, childhood disability remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in Nigeria inadequate rehabilitation infrastructure continue to limit effective rehabilitation service among children with disabilities. This study assessed the availability and accessibility of rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in Kano Metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed among 200 caregivers of children with disabilities attending selected rehabilitation centers and healthcare facilities in Kano Metropolis, a multistage sampling technique was used to recruit respondents. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklists, variables was assessed, Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that physiotherapy services were the most available rehabilitation services (76.5%), while speech therapy services were the least available (32.0%). More than half of the respondents (58.0%) traveled over 10 km before accessing rehabilitation services, while 65.5% reported transportation difficulties, long waiting time was experienced by 60.0% of caregivers, and 55.5% reported poor physical accessibility within rehabilitation facilities, a statistically significant association was observed between distance to rehabilitation centers and regular utilization of rehabilitation services (χ² = 10.72, p = 0.004). The study concluded that availability and accessibility of rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in Kano metropolis remain inadequate due to long travel distances, shortage of specialized services, and infrastructural barriers. The study recommends strengthening community-based rehabilitation services, improving healthcare infrastructure in Kano Metropolis.