[Handicap among children in Saudi Arabia: prevalence, distribution, type, determinants and related factors]

Abstract

We determined the prevalence, distribution and determinants of h and icap among children in Saudi Arabia. A field survey was carried out from 1417 to 1420 AH [1997-2000 AD] of 60 630 children under 16 years selected from all regions of the country. Information was collected by questionnaire for all children and those with a h and icap, or suspected of having a h and icap, were referred for confirmatory diagnosis. Of the total sample, 3838 [6.33%] were recorded as h and icapped. The region with the highest proportion of h and icapped children was Jazan [9.90%] ; Riyadh had the lowest [4.36%]. Motor disability was the commonest kind of h and icap [3.0% of the total sample], followed by learning disability [1.8%]. The highest proportion of disability was found among children with h and icapped parents, those whose mothers were older at the time of their birth and those whose mothers had not had medical care and necessary vaccination during pregnancy