Objective:

To analyze the social determinants of access to health services in children with physical disabilities, in a context of poverty.

Method:

Qualitative, descriptive-interpretive study carried out from January 2015 to May 2016 in Buenaventura, one of the most socially and economically vulnerable territories in Colombia. It included documents review of national and international regulations, and semi-structured interviews to caregivers and key informants of the governmental sector. Content analysis was performed with support of the software named Atlas ti.

Results:

Determinations of the general domain were found that demonstrated the non-compliance with the law in the matter of disability and null intersectoral action to provide services. On the other hand, social representation of disability as an impediment and a physical handicap prevailed, which leads to the invisibilization of the problem. In terms of particular determinations, poor installed capacity, availability and promotion of services for the attention of physical disabilities were found. The gender, class and ethnicity of caregivers imposed barriers to access and intensified the vulnerability of children. In regard to the singular determinations, it were revealed caregivers' stories of suffering while facing administrative, geographical, mobility barriers related to the quality of care, access to resources, medicines and other medical devices.

Conclusions:

There are several social determinations that significantly limit access to health services for children with physical disabilities in Buenaventura. Although Colombia has had advances in policies related to disability, there are still shortcomings in its territorial implementation.

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