Prevalence of Associated Problems among the Mentally Challenged Children in Bangalore

Abstract

Background: Mentally challenged children experience a lot of associated disturbances along with problems of mental retardation. The primary aim of the present study was to identify the associated problems that occur along with the mental retardation among the mentally challenged children in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Method: Descriptive research design was adopted for the present study. Complete enumeration sampling method was used to select 134 caregivers of mentally challenged children studying in three special schools, Bangalore. Tools consisted of section-A: Sociodemographic profile which included the age of the caregiver, sex, relationship with the child, level of retardation of the child; and section-B: list of associated problems. Results: In the present study, associated problems identified among the mentally challenged children were: epilepsy(34.3%), behaviour problem (23.9%), physical impairment (12.7%), visual impairment (9.0%), speech delay (6.7%), (hearing problem(3.%), hyperactivity(2.2%), learning disability(3%), epilepsy, behaviour problem and hearing problem (1.5%) and behaviour problem, hearing and visual (1.5%). Conclusion: Interventions need to be made to focus on teaching and equipping the caregivers with adequate information to manage the mentally challenged children at home.

Keywords: Mentally challenged, children, sociodemographic profile

Cite this Article

M. Vijayarani, G. Balamurugan. Prevalence of Associated Problems among the Mentally Challenged Children in Bangalore. Research and Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience. 2018; 8(3): 19–23p.