{
  "abstract": "Objectives To present the impact of accompaniment by community health workers (CHWs) for children with disabilities in rural Guatemalan communities in accessing specialized services.Methods Interventions were delivered by CHWs through home visits in the local language. During these visits, developmental delays or disabilities were identified. In both cases, CHWs provided continuous follow-up, individualized referrals, accompaniment to specialized services, and nutritional support.Results From 2022 to 2025, navigation and care support were provided to 50 children with developmental delays or complex conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and seizure disorders. CHW accompaniment was vital for patients and their families, ensuring understanding of treatment and follow-up instructions through the use of local languages, while also serving as emotional support throughout the process.Conclusions In rural and Indigenous communities of Guatemala, follow-up and support for children with disabilities remain challenging. However, culturally respectful accompaniment and navigation models can enable access to services and help overcome barriers to care for Indigenous children with disabilities.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Center for Indigenous Health Research, Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala"
      ],
      "name": "Lilian Ajú"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Center for Indigenous Health Research, Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala"
      ],
      "name": "Charis Gudiel"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Center for Indigenous Health Research, Maya Health Alliance, Tecpán, Guatemala",
        "Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA",
        "Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Peter Rohloff"
    }
  ],
  "title": "192 Navigation and accompaniment in cases of children with disabilities in rural areas of Guatemala",
  "uid": "ea6de127-b4b8-5243-888a-2e90dbf01067"
}