Prevention of disabilities

The main focus of prevention in health care is to stop health conditions from occurring (primary prevention). However, prevention also involves early detection and treatment to stop the progression of a health condition (secondary prevention) and management to reduce the consequences of an existing health condition (tertiary prevention).Prevention interventions can be at one of three levels.Primary prevention – the phrase “prevention is better than cure” is one that many people are familiar with and is the focus of primary prevention. Primary prevention is directed at avoidance and uses interventions that prevent health conditions from occurring. These interventions are mainly aimed at people (e.g. changing health behaviours, immunisation, nutrition) and the environments in which they live (safe water supplies, sanitation, good living and working conditions). Secondary prevention is the early detection and early treatment of health conditions, with the aim of curing or lessening their impacts. Tertiary prevention aims to limit or reverse the impact of already existing health conditions and impairments; it includes rehabilitation services and interventions that aim to prevent activity limitations and to promote independence, participation and inclusion.

1. PREVENTION OF DISABILITIES ANSHITA SINGH (ASLP)

2. The main focus of prevention in health care is to stop health conditions from occurring (primary prevention). However, prevention also involves early detection and treatment to stop the progression of a health condition (secondary prevention) and management to reduce the consequences of an existing health condition (tertiary prevention). INTRODUCTION

3. According to WHO 1980 , three levels of prevention are: Primary Prevention Secondary Prevention Tertiary Prevention CONT….

4. Primary prevention may include: primary health care; prenatal and postnatal care; education in nutrition; immunization campaigns against communicable diseases; measures to control endemic diseases; safety regulations; programmes for the prevention of accidents in different environments, including adaptation of workplaces to prevent occupational injury and diseases; and prevention of disability associated with pollution of the environment or armed conflict It is estimated that, through better use of primary prevention and health promotion, the global burden of disease could be reduced by as much as 70% . PRIMARY PREVENTION

5. Health care for people with disabilities usually focuses on specialized medical care and rehabilitation . Just like health promotion, prevention requires the involvement of many different sectors. Within the health sector, primary health care plays an important role and since CBR programmes are most closely linked with primary health care, they can play a significant role in promoting and supporting preventive health care for people with disabilities. CONT…

6. the phrase “prevention is better than cure” is one that many people are familiar with and is the focus of primary prevention. Primary prevention is directed at avoidance and uses interventions that prevent health conditions from occurring. These interventions are mainly aimed at people (e.g. changing health behaviours, immunization, nutrition) and the environments in which they live (safe water supplies, sanitation, good living and working conditions). CONT….

7. Secondary prevention  is the early detection and early treatment of health conditions, with the aim of curing or lessening their impacts. Examples of early detection include mammograms to detect breast cancer and eye examinations to detect cataracts; examples of early treatment include treatment of trachoma with antibiotics to prevent blindness, multidrug treatment of leprosy to prevent disease progression and appropriate handling of a fractured bone to promote proper healing and prevention of deformity. SECONDARY PREVENTON

8. Tertiary prevention  aims to limit or reverse the impact of already existing health conditions and impairments; it includes rehabilitation services and interventions that aim to prevent activity limitations and to promote independence, participation and inclusion. TERTIARY PREVENTION

9. This is the time period when the woman gets pregnant and it continues till 36 weeks . Mother should take care of herself & her baby. Precautions during prenatal period- Avoid marriages in blood relations Mother’s age should be not less than18 Take proper neutrino diet (full of iron, vitamin, protein) supplemented with green leafy vegetables. Avoid use of alcohol/smoking/tobacco Precautions during Prenatal period

10. Avoid use of non-prescribed medicine Avoid any kind of mental & physical stress Take proper medication & treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, high BP, tuberculosis (T.B.) Go for a regular antenatal checkups Avoid strenuous exercise. Light exercising is recommended to keep you active and your metabolism working. CONT…

11. Avoid hard physical work such as carrying heavy loads, especially in fields, and other accident - prone activities such as walking on slippery ground or climbing stools and chairs . Avoid excessive x-rays Avoid use of street drugs such as heroine & cocaine Avoid exposure to illnesses like measles, mumps etc , especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Avoid sexual contact with a person having venereal disease. CONT….

12. All women of the child bearing age need 0.4mg of folic acid daily. It is also available in folic acid plus iron tablets which should be taken for at least 3 months during the third trimester when the risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia is greatest. It is extremely important that the women undertake adequate and effective preventive measures during their pregnancy and immediate postnatal period and also for their children especially during the early childhood period, in order to significantly reduce the incidence of impairment and disabilities in them. CONT….

13. This is time when the child takes birth & continued till 4-5 days after birth . Here the focus is on those conditions which start from labor time to birth of the child. Mother should be careful and follow proper safety & alertness during this period Pre-mature –  If the pregnancy is less than 36 weeks then you should take care of baby more because their body is more prone for the infections & they are underweight. Type & place of delivery- Delivery should be done in the supervision of good doctors & nurses. Delivery at home should be avoided. Normal delivery is good for mother as well as for child. Visiting nursing home or hospitals for delivery then you can do follow up or consult with doctors about your child’s health. Precautions during Perinatal period

14. Neonatal jaundice-  most of the time children are suffering from jaundice after birth, that is known as neonatal jaundice. It is present in two forms one is physiological and second is pathological. Its treatment is phototherapy or sunlight and blood transfusion. Sometimes blood transfusion becomes harmful for child’s development. Delayed cry-  First cry of the baby is so important because this is the first breath of the child in the environment. If it is delayed then the oxygen level reduces in the child’s body. it will affect the child’s development. Low birth weight-  It is an indicator of unhealthy child. You should take care of your child, give him nutritional diet. It will make his immunity system more strong. CONT…..

15. This is the time duration after birth . After pregnancy mother’s responsibilities becomes double because before pregnancy child was safe in mother’s uterus , but now baby has to face environmental factors as microorganism, accidents, excessive or loud noise and many more. The mothers have to save their child’s from- Precautions during Postnatal period

16. Head injuries due to instrumental or caesarean delivery Physical trauma Mental trauma Chronic Infections as brain fever, ear infections Contagious diseases Allergies respiratory infections Excessive or loud noise Malnutrition CONT….

17. If your child is suffering from any of above mentioned things you should go for proper medical treatment from your nearest government hospitals. Sometimes it is found that these things give rise to serious medical condition that will affect your child’s health and development. Therefore be care full during the period. CONT…

18. Do not allow a child’s temperature to rise above 101 degree F because of any reason. It can cause febrile seizures If a child gets a fit take him to doctor immediately. Every child should be immunized against infectious diseases as per the recommended schedule of immunization. Do not allow a child to have too much contact with paint, newsprint ink, lead etc. as they are toxic. Take precautions against head injury, and other accidents. Early Childhood Care

19. Vitamin A deficiency and its consequences including night blindness can be easily prevented through the use of Vitamin A supplementation. Protect a child from Meningitis and Encephalitis by providing a hygienic environment which is free of overcrowding . Ensure that the child gets a well-balanced diet and clean drinking water. Introduce additional foods of good quality and in sufficient quantity when the child is 4 -6 months old. CONT….

20. Common salt must be iodized as a precaution against goiter and cretinism. Do not allow a child to use hairpins, matchsticks and pencils, to remove wax from the ears. Use ear protectors to reduce the exposure to high levels of noise, if children are living or working in a noisy environment. Do not slap a child over the face as this may lead to injury of the eardrum and consequent hearing loss CONT…

21. Introduction to Hearing Impairment Vikaspedia Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines (WHO) REFRENCE