Asian Nurs Res.  2015 Dec;9(4):285-290. 10.1016/j.anr.2015.06.004.

Screening of Visually Impaired Children for Health Problems

• Acil D
• Ayaz S

• KMID: 2363348
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2015.06.004

Abstract

PURPOSE
Disability is a significant problem and is accepted globally as a health priority in childhood. Like nonvisually impaired children, visually impaired children also need to use health services during childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the health problems of visually impaired children.
METHODS
A descriptive design was used. The subjects were 74 children with visual impairment attending primary school (aged 5e14 years), who agreed to participate and whose parents gave permission. Data were collected via physical examination including questionnaires and a physical assessment form. The health screening included physical measurements for height, weight, blood pressure, dental health, hearing, and scoliosis.
RESULTS
The mean age of children was 10.43 +/- 2.9 years. When the health screening results of children were examined, it was found that 25.7% of the children were overweight or obese, 35.1% of them had dental problems, 27.0% had hearing problems, and 39.2% had scoliosis risk. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were normal in 91.8% and 93.2% of the children, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings showed the important role of school health nurses in performing health screenings directed at visually impaired children who constitute a special group for school health services. Health screening for height, weight, dental health, hearing, and scoliosis is suggested for visually impaired children.

Keyword

children; nursing; school health services; visually impaired persons

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Blood Pressure
Body Height
Body Weight
Child
Child, Preschool
*Disabled Persons
Female
Hearing
Humans
Male
Mass Screening/*methods
Oral Health
School Health Services/*organization & administration
Scoliosis/*diagnosis
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Turkey
*Visually Impaired Persons