exudates and Intellectual-Disability

Though sex education (SE) may benefit the sexual development and overall well-being of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs), obstacles to its implementation remain. This study highlights barriers and concerns of SE for children with IDs based on their mothers' experiences. We employed a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews with twenty Malay mothers of children with mild-to-moderate IDs or/and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Four primary hurdles to SE were discovered: (1) mother (2) children (3) family value, and (4) socio-cultural environment. Inadequate knowledge, mothers' perceptions that SE is less necessary at this stage of their children's development, and time constraints were among their main barriers. Another source of hardship was the communication barrier because children with ID have cognitive impairment in their capacity to understand the topic being addressed and more time should be spent throughout the discussion. Family value and socio-cultural elements also had an impact on mothers' intention to deliver SE to their children. Our findings suggest that mothers recognize the importance of SE for their children's well-being. However, the dynamic interaction between the barriers complicates SE. This study emphasizes the necessity for future interventions to overcome hurdles at each level to effectively implement the recommended strategies.

Topics: Child; Communication Barriers; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Mothers; Sex Education

Sex education (SE) is still a controversial and sensitive topic in Malaysia. Thus, individuals with intellectual disability receive less information about SE formally as Malaysian culture believes that students with disabilities should be shielded from everything connected to sexuality owing to their paucity of maturity and intellectual comprehension of the topic. Due to that reason, non-formal education by the parent is very important to fill that needful gap. This study aimed to explore the experience of mothers on the meanings of sexuality, and implementing sex education for their children with ID. We adopted a phenomenological framework and social cognitive theory to increase understanding of the phenomenon and conducted it using in-depth interviews. Twenty mothers with children aged 10-19 who were diagnosed with mild to moderate ID and/or other cognitive disabilities were involved. Almost all mothers acknowledged the influence of socio-cultural factors and religion on meanings of sexuality and practicing SE. They realized their children's emerging sexual behavior as they go through the adolescence period. However, how they confronted sexuality and sex education with their vulnerable children was different. Three themes emerged: (1) Sexuality as an erotic experience in life, which enlightens mothers' views on sexuality, relying mainly on sexual intimacy and sexual being; (2) Perceived their children's sexual maturity is different, which reflects the mothers' attitude toward their children's sexual development; (3) Caution/hesitance in providing sexuality education, which summarizes mothers' ways of delivering SE, either following physicality or through sociocultural ways. Our findings exemplify the need for strategies to increase parents' understanding and awareness regarding sexuality and appropriate delivery of SE. To ensure its success, it should be a shared responsibility among all relevant stakeholders.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Mothers; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior

This study aimed to compare the nutritional and bone health status between young men with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability and those without intellectual disability and to determine predictors for their bone health status.. A total of 95 men (47 men with intellectual disability; 48 men without intellectual disability), aged 20-39 years, participated in this study. Anthropometric profile, dietary intake, physical activity level and calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) were collected.. The men with intellectual disability had moderate diet quality whilst the men without intellectual disability had poor diet quality. More participants with intellectual disability (97.9%) were inactive compared with their counterparts (10.4%). The SOS value was similar between groups and was lower than the reference. Increasing age and low physical activity level were negative predictors for bone health status.. Both young men with and without intellectual disability have suboptimal nutritional and bone health status. Strategies to improve their nutritional and bone health status are warranted.

Topics: Adult; Bone Density; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Exercise; Health Status; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male; Nutritional Status; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to describe the employment experiences of persons with learning disabilities (LDs) in developing countries, such as Malaysia. Factors associated with respondents' employment were also determined. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults with LD who left the special education programs in secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Ninety young adults with LD, aged 18 to 25 years were interviewed face-to-face at an agreed upon convenient place on their working experiences after leaving secondary schools. A total of 13 respondents were excluded from the analysis because their intellectual quotient (IQ) score demonstrated a high possibility of intellectual disability with IQ estimation <70. Of the 77 young adults analyzed, 74.0% reported having work experience and 64.9% were working at the time of interview. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between individual, family, and community factors with respondents' employment. Two factors made a unique statistically significant contribution to the model (gender,

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disabled Persons; Education, Special; Employment; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Learning Disabilities; Malaysia; Male; Schools; Young Adult

Parents' positive attitudes and psychological wellbeing play an important role in the development of the children with developmental disability. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of psychological problems among mothers of children with autism disorder, intellectual disability, and Down syndrome. The second aim was to assess the differences in mothers' attitudes and psychological problems among their children with intellectual disability, autism disorder, and Down syndrome. The third aim was to identify whether negative attitude was a predictor of psychological problems in these mothers.. In this study, 112 mothers of children having mild and moderate levels of autism disorder, Down syndrome, and intellectual disability were assessed using the Parental Attitude Scale and General Health Questionnaire-28.. Overall, mothers of children with intellectual disability were found to have the most negative attitude towards their child. Mothers of children with autism disorder exhibited higher scores on somatic symptoms, anxiety, and social dysfunction when compared with their counterparts with Down syndrome and intellectual disability. Negative attitude was a significant predictor of psychological problems.. Parental attitudes and psychological problems would vary among mothers of children with different types of developmental disability.

Topics: Adult; Attitude; Autistic Disorder; Child; Developmental Disabilities; Down Syndrome; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male; Mental Disorders; Mothers; Prevalence

While there is a growing body of literature in the quality of life of families that include children with disabilities, the majority of research has been conducted in western countries. The present study provides an initial exploration of the quality of life of Malaysian families that include children with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Dynamics characterising Malaysian society are described as developments in social policy and service delivery that support persons with disabilities and their families.. Questionnaire data were collected using the Family Quality of Life Survey - Short Version. Members of 52 families that included one or two children with disabilities were interviewed. Their responses provided their perceptions within six dimensions of family quality of life across the nine life domains assessed.. Findings showed a consistent pattern of relatively strong perceived 'importance' ratings in each of life domains as compared to mean ratings for other family quality of life dimensions. Some dimensions of family quality of life, in particular 'opportunities', 'initiative' and 'attainment', demonstrated particularly strong associations with each other. Overall means of satisfaction with and attainment of family quality of life as well as global evaluations of quality of life and satisfaction all demonstrated significant associations, although each of these correlations accounted for less than 50% of the common variance.. The importance rating can be viewed as a determining factor in terms of quality of life, and it played a critical role in supporting attainment of, and satisfaction with, family quality of life, assuming opportunities, initiative and stability are adequate. The need for a broader sample including families that were not receiving services was noted. Future research questions based on the results of the current study and some of the dynamics impacting Malaysian society are also suggested.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost of Illness; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Developmental Disabilities; Disabled Children; Family; Family Health; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male; Parents; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Social Support; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires

To compare parenting stress among Malaysian mothers of children with mental retardation and a control group, and to determine factors associated with stress.. Seventy-five mothers of children with mental retardation aged 4-12 years and 75 controls (those without disabilities who attended the walk-in paediatric clinic) participated in the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Intelligence quotient (IQ) and Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) scores, together with sociodemographic data, were entered into a multiple stepwise regression analysis, using the PSI as the criterion.. Mothers of children with mental retardation scored significantly higher than control subjects in both the child-related domain (difference between means 26.1, 95% confidence interval 19.6-32.5) and parent-related domain (difference between means 15.0, 95% confidence interval 7.9-22.1) of the PSI. The total child behaviour scores from the CBCL (P < 0.01), IQ scores (P < 0. 01) and sibship size (P < 0.01) were associated with child-related domain scores. For the parent-related domain, CBCL (P < 0.01) and IQ scores (P = 0.01) remained important factors but Chinese ethnicity (P < 0.01) and maternal unemployment (P < 0.01) were also significant predictors of stress.. A large proportion of mothers of children with mental retardation experienced substantial parenting stress, especially Chinese and unemployed mothers, and this warrants appropriate intervention.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; India; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male; Mothers; Parenting; Regression Analysis; Single Parent; Socioeconomic Factors; Stress, Psychological

Topics: Asia, Southeastern; Congenital Abnormalities; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia

Topics: Child; Child, Institutionalized; Chromosome Aberrations; Chromosome Banding; Chromosome Disorders; Cross-Sectional Studies; Down Syndrome; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Karyotyping; Malaysia; Male

In this paper we first present methods and preliminary results of pilot surveys of "serious" mental retardation (IQ less than or equal to 55); the surveys included screening and diagnostic components and were carried out in the less-developed world. Next we discuss two problems raised by these surveys: one is the diagnosis of a case and its clinical dimensions, and the other is the interpretation of prevalence. In the next section we illustrate epidemiological approaches to the analysis of such data, in particular their relevance to prevention. Lastly, we propose that the two-stage survey approach developed in the course of the pilot work can provide a valuable basis for planning and prevention, if certain key conditions can be met.

Topics: Bangladesh; Brazil; Child; Child, Preschool; Developing Countries; Epidemiologic Methods; Health Surveys; Humans; India; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Pakistan; Philippines; Risk; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Zambia

Topics: Adult; Chromosome Aberrations; Chromosome Disorders; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Karyotyping; Malaysia; Male

Topics: Child, Preschool; Electroencephalography; Female; Humans; Infant; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male; Spasms, Infantile

Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intellectual Disability; Malaysia; Male