School achievement of physically handicapped children in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Physical handicapping becomes one of the priorities of all governments due to its hazardous effect on physical, mental and social health. To determine rate of physical handicapping in a rural area and to study its effect on school achievement of children. This cross-sectional study included 750 students of 15 primary schools of Sharkia Governorate. Those schools were selected randomly for this study during the period from October-to- December, 2009. The students answered a carefully designed questionnaire during the interview of clinical examination. Watch test for testing hearing and Snellen test for measuring the acuity of vision were applied for all school children. The prevalence rate of physical handicapping in this study group is 20.8%. Handicapping had occurred in males more than females [p<0.05]. Visual, auditory and orthopedic disorders decreased the score of school achievement of the students [p<0.05]. Speech, heart and respiratory problems had insignificant effect on school achievement of the children [p>0.05]. Prevalence of physical handicapping was 20.8% among the study group. Visual, auditory and orthopedic disorders had a significantly negative effect on the score of school achievement of the students. Physically handicapped children need special educational programs. A technology-based program should induce the in-apparent skills of those children to benefit them and their community. A next research study is recommended to measure the prevalence of handicapping at the same age group in households