Of the 22,5 million people in Afghanistan about 800,000 are disabled (28%) mainly because of preventable diseases and mine accidents. Although these impressive data are supplied by surveys supported by the UN, the new Afghan Government does not have a clear population census. Italian Cooperation experts with the supervision of a team of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, in collaboration with the non-governmental organization GVC - Civil Voluntary Group, have carried out a survey on health and health-related conditions as a pilot project. These conditions, considered as disability dimensions according to the biopsychosocial model, were studied in 65 schools of Kabul with a twofold purpose: to offer reliable information to the Afghan policy makers, and to validate the ICF classification in the school environment. About 1.300 questionnaires were distributed from which data were electronically entered. Results: 115,923 children between 5 to 14 years old were surveyed. Only 1,1% of total sample were disabled (1,294 ss., 858 m. and 436 f.), of which 39% had motor disabilities (amputations, polio, bone deformities, hemiplegics), 26 % had visual impairments, 3,3% deaf, and 0,3% had paraplegia. Regarding the main etiological factors affecting physical impairments 31% were congenital, 16% injuries due to war. Regarding congenital deformities, they often occurred because of inadequate prenatal care. Discussion: Considering the percentage of disabled children with respect to the entire Afghan disabled population, the survey highlights a low access to public education for children with disabilities. Consequently, the survey has pointed out the urgency of governmental policies to improve access to education and health care for disabled children, access to rehabilitation centres and quality of life. According to the ICF classification, environmental barriers could be neutralized implementing technologies for enabling educational environments for the mainstreaming of the students with disability.
School environment and disability issues in Kabul (Afghanistan): A survey within an emergency project
FEDERICI, Stefano
2003
Abstract
Of the 22,5 million people in Afghanistan about 800,000 are disabled (28%) mainly because of preventable diseases and mine accidents. Although these impressive data are supplied by surveys supported by the UN, the new Afghan Government does not have a clear population census. Italian Cooperation experts with the supervision of a team of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, in collaboration with the non-governmental organization GVC - Civil Voluntary Group, have carried out a survey on health and health-related conditions as a pilot project. These conditions, considered as disability dimensions according to the biopsychosocial model, were studied in 65 schools of Kabul with a twofold purpose: to offer reliable information to the Afghan policy makers, and to validate the ICF classification in the school environment. About 1.300 questionnaires were distributed from which data were electronically entered. Results: 115,923 children between 5 to 14 years old were surveyed. Only 1,1% of total sample were disabled (1,294 ss., 858 m. and 436 f.), of which 39% had motor disabilities (amputations, polio, bone deformities, hemiplegics), 26 % had visual impairments, 3,3% deaf, and 0,3% had paraplegia. Regarding the main etiological factors affecting physical impairments 31% were congenital, 16% injuries due to war. Regarding congenital deformities, they often occurred because of inadequate prenatal care. Discussion: Considering the percentage of disabled children with respect to the entire Afghan disabled population, the survey highlights a low access to public education for children with disabilities. Consequently, the survey has pointed out the urgency of governmental policies to improve access to education and health care for disabled children, access to rehabilitation centres and quality of life. According to the ICF classification, environmental barriers could be neutralized implementing technologies for enabling educational environments for the mainstreaming of the students with disability.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
