A comparative cross sectional study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community based rehabilitation programme for children with special needs in the district of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, 1998

A comparative cross sectional study was conducted on the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the community towards community based rehabilitation (CBR) programme for children with special needs in the district of Kota Bharu, Kelantan in September 1998. The study samples comprised of 150 respondents from Wakaf Che Yeh Health Centre where CBR programme was available and 150 respondents from Pengkalan Cepa Health Centre where there was no CBR programme. The respondents aged between 18 years to 64 years old. Comparison of the KAP of these two communities is important to improve the CBR programme whereby community participation is an important component. Positive knowledge and attitude as well as active community participation in the CBR programme will ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the programme. Pretested guided questionnaires were used to measure the KAP of the community towards CBR programme. The hypothesis of the study was that the KAP of the community where CBR programme was available was better than the KAP of the community without the CBR programme. The study revealed that there was significant relationship between the knowledge, attitude and practice of the communities in the two study areas (p0.05). However, risk factors for low knowledge and negative attitudes on CBR were low educational status, housewife and absence of car; women have less negative attitudes toward CBR for children with special needs compared to men. These differences are statistically significant. After controlling for all the other factors it was found that being married is a risk factor for low involvement in rehabilitation activities, where as those with low educational status and having contact with the handicapped were found to be .protective. These differences are statistically significant. Based on these findings, it 1: is hoped that the knowledge, .attitude and community participation in CBR programme for children with Special needs can be further Improved and enhanced by f special emphasis on these positive predictive risk factors

Challenges faced by young women with premarital pregnancy: a qualitative exploration through a multiple-case study

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancy is a challenging life event, especially to young unmarried women in Malaysia as they often left unsupported. Using theory of resilience, this study aimed to explore challenges faced by non-institutionalised young unmarried women who decided to keep their pregnancy. By understanding their challenges, we could recognise their main needs for planning of effective strategies and policies that can help them to cope better with their pregnancy and prepare for their future. This was a qualitative exploration study using a multiple-case study design. Five pregnant women recruited from two primary care clinics, aged 18 years and above, with different life experiences and at different trimester underwent in-depth interviews. Data was examined using thematic analysis and compared across the five cases. The main challenges during pregnancy faced by the unmarried women were: (1) avoiding social stigma, (2) having poor psychosocial support from family, and (3) preparing for future. They were worried about financial security, childcare, illegitimate status of their child, housing arrangement and stable employment. Thus, they need to be supported in these areas. Although these young women in the community appeared to be self-reliant, independent and strong minded, they need to be supported especially from their own family members, parents, peers, health care providers and organisation for a better future for them and their children