Characterization of families with Down syndrome children in a region of Venezuela
Article
Romero, R, Leon, A, Zeno, A et al. (2000). Characterization of families with Down syndrome children in a region of Venezuela
. SD Revista Medica Internacional sobre el Sindrome de Down, 4(2), 18-21.
Romero, R, Leon, A, Zeno, A et al. (2000). Characterization of families with Down syndrome children in a region of Venezuela
. SD Revista Medica Internacional sobre el Sindrome de Down, 4(2), 18-21.
The objective of this work was to describe the socio-economic characteristics of family groups with Down syndrome children in a region of Venezuela, to take measures that contribute to decrease the number of factors that have a negative influence on the development of those children and their families. This investigation is descriptive, transactional; the Graffar's scale was used to discriminate socio-economic strata. 70 families with DS children from the Children Developmental Center (CDI) of Zulia State, were studied. Findings showed that DS is the main cause of attention in these institutions. The mean age of children were 2,82 ± 1,7 years. In relation to the profession of the head family 18.57% had university education whereas 24.28% were non specialized workers. 98% of the mothers have done some educative courses, especially at high school or technical careers (27.14%). The main income source was the monthly salary (41.42%); 45.71% of the families have a property with good sanitary conditions while 10% live in hovels. According to Graffar method, more than 71% of the families are located in I, II and III strata of the scale. This parameter clearly indicates that the selected population possesses adequate socio-economic conditions for the development of DS children. It is recommended that major attention should be given, especially with the group with socio-economic deficiencies (strata IV and V) which presents multiple risks. These results differ from the expected for the critical conditions in which a high percentage of the population of Zuliana live, recommending the study of other indicators in order to corroborate the results obtained.
