Functional limitations associated with chronic health conditions among school-aged children, in Kayseri, Turkey

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of functional limitations in school aged children with chronic health conditions/impairments and the affecting factors in Kayseri, Turkey.Methods.This cross-sectional study  was conducted in Kayseri, Turkey, in 2006. A questionnaire was applied to parents of the 4847 children aged 7-17 years in randomly selected 20 primary schools out of 99. Chronic health conditions (CHC) were defined as a condition being diagnosed  in advance by physician  in the last three months which interfered with daily functioning during the last year. Disability was defined as a long-term inability in social role activities in normal function or school, due to a chronic physical or mental health conditions. Functional limitations were assigned to two domains as in the usual  (mobility, self-care, communication) and school activity limitations (school absence days and grade repetition).

Results. According to the results of the parent-reported questionnaire, 1592 school-aged children, (35.3%) had one or more CHC out of the 4508 children. The rate of functional limitations were 36.7% in children with CHC, which was  significantly  higher than  those healthy peers. Functional limitations were observed in 39.7% of  the chıldren with chronic diseases, 41.4% with physical impairments, and 41.3% with behavior disorders. Functional limitations were common in children with mental (60.7%) and musculoskeletal (56.3%) impairments, and school fright (54.5%). These limitations were significantly higher in children aged 13-17, boys, children from families low-educated, and unemployed, and low-income.

Conclusion. Functional limitations in school-aged children with CHC are a major public health problem. Functional limitations appear to be associated more closely with the children’s demographic characteristics and their family ecology. Targetting prevention and rehabilitation efforts toward disavantaged children and families may be an important way of ameliorating the impact of these conditions.