A study on the psychosocial behavior of the disabled children in Loni, Maharashtra.

ABSTRACT

Objectives:To find out the changes in psychosocial behavior of the disabled children. Materials and Methods: The study area comprises of villages under rural field practice area of Rural Medical College, Loni. 7300 children of the age group of 0-14 years from the total population of 20,533 were studied by community based cross- sectional study. House to house survey was conducted to identify disabled children using a pre-tested questionnaire by interview technique. Child behavior check list (CBCL) which was developed by T.M. Atenbach was the tool used to assess the comprehensive, multi informant evaluation of child's behavior. Results: The overall prevalence rate of disabilities in children was 2.25%. Psychosocial behavioral changes were observed more in children with multiple and miscellaneous disability which includes cerebral palsy and was followed by mental retardation, locomotor disability, visual impairment and least among the children with hearing and speech impairment. Psychosocial behavioral changes among the children with disabilities were statistically significant. Conclusion: The result of the study necessitates organizing counseling to disabled children and parents, community based rehabilitation program and integration of disabled into the main stream education to reduce the psychosocial behavioral changes.