About the project

There is limited data available regarding the lived experience of children with disability in Aotearoa New Zealand. Self-reported data provides an opportunity to examine results through a child-centric lens, enabling greater understanding of the nature of disability and equity of healthcare services. The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUINZ) study revealed young people and families experiencing disability face inequities in many areas of their lives. Understanding how broader determinants of health contribute to the lived experience of disability is crucial to informing future strategic approaches that promote equity and accessibility of services. These include primary care, disability and learning support services, allied health and physiotherapy services. This study will aim to explore the GUINZ dataset using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to examine associations between disability and broader determinants of health identified in the age-12 data collection wave.

Self-reported data from the children using Washington Group Short-set and KIDSCREEN questions will be used to examine how factors such as cultural identity, ethnicity (as a nonexplanatory variable), deprivation levels, gender, discrimination and racism, and quality of life indicators influence the ability of children with disabilities to access healthcare services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Where relevant, data will also be drawn from the young person's parent or main caregiver (Mother proxy (DCW12CM) and Mother (DCW12M) datasets) to provide additional information. These will be used to understand the lived experience of disability for children in Aotearoa New Zealand and identify barriers and facilitators to equitable access to healthcare services.

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Start date: 5/02/2024