Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, an estimated one billion people (15% of total world population), experiences some form of disability. In India, there are 26,810,557 (2.1% of total population) are suffering from one or the other form of disability. As per 2011 census, in Gujarat, 1,092,302 (as per 2011 census) people are having one or the other form of disability. Disability prevalence in developing countries, persons with disabilities, on average as a group, are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, worse health outcomes, less employment, and higher poverty rate. Majority of children and young people with disability live in developing countries where they face inequalities in education and other opportunities. Negative attitude constitute one of the major barriers to the development of their potential. Objective: To explore the attitudes of students without disability towards their peers with disability and to assess the role that level of education plays in shaping these attitudes. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 106 students was carried out at K M Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Karamsad. Participants were recruited from a group of 106 students in 6 grades (First year BPT, Second year BPT, Third year BPT, Final year BPT, First year MPT, Second year MPT). A semi-structured questionnaire containing items on the â�?�?Chedoke-McMaster Attitude Towards Children with Handicaps (CATCH) scaleâ�?, which elicits responses on Likert scale (agree, neutral, disagree), was administered. The data collection is in the process and will be collected in phases from first year undergraduate to final year postgraduate. Results: Descriptive statistics will be used to find the attitude of the students with chi-square method for comparing the students of each year. Conclusions: As the level of education of the studentsâ�?�? increases, the sensitivity of their attitude towards disabled children will be more positive.

Biography

R.Harihara Prakash is the Principal and Professor in K M Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Karamsad. He has 18 year of professional experience in clinical as well as academics. He is Doctorate in Physical Therapy from National University of medical science, Spain. He was awarded “RASHTRIYA VIDHYA SARASWATI PURASKAR AWARD” for his excellent contribution in academics. He was a former Dean, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Baba Farid University of Health science, Punjab. He is in editorial and peer reviewer for some international journals. He is also in the panel of NAAC. He has obtained various skills by certification in the field of neurology, osteopathy, manual therapy from various countries. He has published and presented research papers in various national and international conferences. He is an eminent speaker and an academician.

Email: perinpatel555@gmail.com