Education as a factor in social participation for people affected by disabilities in communities endemic to neglected tropical diseases in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

Introduction: Disability significantly affects access to fundamental rights, including education. This study aimed to analyse the factors associated with non-schooling among people with disabilities due to Neglected Tropical Diseases and other causes in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical focus using a sequential mixed-methods formative approach. Quantitative data were collected from 841 people with disabilities using structured questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS version 25 to identify factors associated with non-schooling. Qualitative interviews were thematically analyzed to explore participants' experiences and needs, which informed the co-development of three context-adapted intervention modules. The modules were subsequently piloted and qualitatively evaluated among a small group of participants. Results: Factors associated with non-schooling included multiple disabilities [ORa = 3.91; 95% CI (2.01-7.2); Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of addressing educational barriers faced by people with disabilities. They also suggest that context-adapted educational and psychosocial interventions may support social participation, although further studies are required to evaluate their effectiveness.