Investigation of the probable causes of specific childhood disabilities in Eastern Afghanistan (preliminary report)

Abstract

To identify risk factors likely to cause developmental disabilities and to generate hypotheses for a further study of risk factors predisposing to disability and slow mental and physical development. Mothers and children attending/visiting the Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal (SGAA) clinics in the East Zone of Afghanistan. The main outcome measures, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy (CP), club foot, CDH and polio. Results, 37.5% of the disabilities were present at birth, 46% of the disabled children were born from parents who are 1st cousin which was confirmed by computing X 2 value, which is 10.87 with one degree of freedom. 58.3% of the disabled children were born from parents who lack antenatal care. 22.4% of the pregnant women in the defined population had antenatal checkups, and 97% of the mothers in the defined population are illiterate, 52% of the children found with CP specific and mental retardation. 25% were with delayed physical and mental development. 13% were with CP specific and 10% were club foot. 2% of the children were visually handicapped, 9% with hearing impairment. 61% of children were from Nangarhar, 25% from Laghman and 14% from Kunar.