Livelihood outcomes in a cohort of youth with disabilities following participation in an economic empowerment programme in rural Uganda

Abstract

Background: Little evidence exists on the livelihoods of young people with disabilities in low- and middle-income settings.

Objective: This study examined employability and livelihood outcomes among a cohort of youth with disabilities who participated in an economic empowerment programme in rural Uganda.

Methods: Prospective cohort of youth with disabilities participating in an economic empowerment programme in rural Uganda. Livelihood outcomes of participants were assessed through structured interviews at baseline (n = 297) and again at 12 months (n = 252) and analysed using chi-squared tests and generalized estimating equations.

Results: Of 297 participants at baseline, 144 (48%) were women and the mean age was 21.7 years. At 12 months follow-up, participants were significantly more likely to have a job (OR 3.04, 95% CI 2.10-4.39); to have accessed finance (OR 5.52, 95% CI 3.18-9.56); and experienced community support (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.51-3.29) compared with baseline. There were no statistically significant changes in having enough money for food or in having experienced community discrimination.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that targeted vocational skills training, apprenticeships scheme and a start-up financial package may improve the livelihoods of young people living with disabilities in rural African settings.

Keywords: Africa; Economic empowerment; Livelihoods; Uganda; Youth with disabilities.