An Epidemiological Study To Assess Health Needs Of Mentally Challenged Children Enrolled In Special School

Context: Presently there is no cure for mental retardation. So that asserting morbidity profile and health needs and health seeking behaviour, awareness and utilization of available welfare facilities becomes imperative. Aim & Objectives: To assess the socio-demographic profile and health status of mentally challenged children enrolled in special school & study the health seeking behaviour by their parents. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study carried out in 2 special schools on 64 children. Face to face interviews were carried out with pretested semi structured questionnaire after obtaining Informed consent. Results: Most common grade of Mental retardation (MR) was mild. 36% participants had Ophthalmic Morbidity. Mean age at diagnosis was 30.5 months. Most common felt need of the parents was the rehabilitation of their child after 18 years. 81% parents were using Welfare schemes for their child. Conclusion: The incidence of refractive errors, ENT problems was statistically significant.