RESUMO
In recent years, special emphasis has been placed on the problems of the parents with disabled children. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the problems in the families of disabled children. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 352 disabled children residing in rehabilitation centers of Kashan during 2007-8. A census was conducted in families of the children through an interview and a questionnaire. Moreover, some demographic characteristics [e.g. family attitude, and problems related to disabilities] were evaluated and analyzed using the descriptive statistics. Among 352 cases, 234 [66.6%] were male and most of them [36.1%] aged 10-19 years. The mean age of children was 24.2 +/- 18.5 years. Ninety-seven percent of mothers were housewives; 52% mentally disabled; 15.6% physically disabled and the remaining both mentally and physically disabled. Almost one-third of the families had more than one disabled children. The most frequent disabilities were associated with behavioral disorders, facial paralyses, limb deformities, fecal and urinary incontinence, running off at the mouth and convulsion, respectively. Most children were dependent on their adults in feeding, dressing and playing. In addition, the most important problems of the children were fecal and urinary incontinence, impairment in social adaptation with healthy children, verbal communication, recognizing individuals and also financial problems. Moreover, a significant relationship was seen between the severity of physical disability and gender [P=0.001]. Considering that the disabled children face multiple social and physical problems, they require financial, social and familial support to have a near normal life
RESUMO
Breathing is a vital process in living creatures, which let the oxygen in and CO[2] out of the body. The process is disturbed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases [COPD]. Breathing maneuvers are the most important methods in minimizing breathing disturbances. This study was conducted to assess the effect of breath training as a respiratory maneuver on O[2] saturation and respiratory patterns in COPD patient in medical wards of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan City. This is a quasi-experimental research, in which the effect of breath-training on O[2] saturation [O2Sat] and respiratory patterns was evaluated in 60 COPD patients, The accessible samples were entered into this study. The demographic variables, like age, sex, and respiratory rate [RR] and rhythm were recorded before educating the patients. By means of pulse oximeter, the O[2] saturation was measured before and after instructing the patients, The patients were requested to breath with puckered lips for 10 minutes and O[2] saturation and respiratory rhythm were assessed immediately after and also in 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 60 minutes following puckered lip breathing. Non-parametric tests like Wileoxon matched pairs and Macnemar tests were used for data analysis. 43.3% of the patient were farmers and 30% were working in textile industries. 56.3% of the patients were smokers. The mean values of O2Sat were 87.4% and 93% before and immediately after training; and the amount of O2Sat was significantly higher at all intervals except in the 5[th] minute after exercise [p<0.001]. The decrease in RR was 27.7% immediately after exercise and maximal decrease was encountered in the 5[th] minute after rehearsal. But RR gradually increased to pre-training rate. Respiratory rhythm did not show any significant change due to the breath exercise. We concluded that breath exercises such as puckered lip breathing led to an increase in O[2] saturation, deep breathing patterns and finally improvement of lung function. So, breath training should be included in respiratory physiotherapy programs for COPD patients to increase their quality of life