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The purposes of this study were to investigate the level of functional independence of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome (DS) and to examine the influence of their demographic characteristics, level of disability, and comorbidities on their functional independence. The study population was obtained from the voluntary registry members of the Republic of China Foundation for Persons with DS in Taiwan. Two hundred and sixteen adolescents and adults with DS (≧15 years) whose caregivers had completed valid structured questionnaires were recruited for the study. The present study used the Barthel Index (BI) of activities of daily living (ADL) to determine a baseline level of physical functioning in people with DS. The results showed that 1·9% of the cases were severely dependent (BI score 21–60), 20·4% of the cases were moderately dependent (BI score 61–90), 8·3% of the cases were mildly dependent (BI score 91–99), and 69·4% of the cases were totally independent (BI score 100). The multiple logistic reg...

The purpose of this study was to collect information on the fasting blood glucose (FBG) profile in individuals with disabilities and to determine associated risk factors in this population. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 833 adults with disabilities who were 30 years of age or older and who voluntarily participated in the 2010 annual health examination provided by a local government in east Taiwan. The results demonstrated that 23% of participants had prediabetes (FBG: 100–125 mm/dl), and 10·7% participants had diabetes (FBG>126 mm/dl). The findings appear to demonstrate that individuals with disabilities experience a higher prevalence of diabetes than the general population, and greater attention must be paid to this population within the healthcare system. In the logistic regression model, older age, and body mass index (BMI) were predictive of diabetes in this population. In addition, elderly individuals (OR = 5·96, 95% CI = 1·67–21·23) or those from 44 to 64 years (OR = 6·67, 95% CI = 1·94...

There is little information available related to the reproductive health of people with intellectual disability (ID). The aims of the present study are to describe caregiver attitudes and to examine determinants of gynaecological health for women with ID.We recruited 1152 caregivers (response rate=71.87%) and analysed their responses to a mailed-out, self-administered, structured questionnaire. We divided attitudinal perceptions of reproductive health into 4 domains: menstruation, menopause, sex education, and preventive healthcare. Each domain in turn had 5 issues (questions), with scores of 1 to 4 given according to the level of agreement with each issue (low to high score: strongly disagree, disagree, agree, and strongly agree). The total sum score for each domain was 5-20 (total score range: 20-80).The respondents' attitudinal mean score was 57.78±4.64 (range: 48-75). The multiple logistic regression model revealed that the factors of "workplace training in reproductive health" (OR=1.793, 95% CI=1.31-2.46), "felt satisfied with public reproductive health services for the client" (OR=0.694, 95% CI=0.53-0.92), and "scores of reproductive health knowledge" (OR=1.735, 95% CI=1.29-2.34) were significantly correlated with attitudinal score level toward gynaecological health for women with ID.The study highlights that service authorities should address health policy initiatives to continue providing workplace training in reproductive health, public reproductive health services. There is also a need for caregivers to increase their knowledge of reproductive health.

Background This study provides a perspective on the mental health status and analyses the effectiveness of a stress-relief program for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability (ID).Method Seventy-seven primary caregivers of people with ID were recruited (intervention group, n = 31; non-intervention group, n = 46) to the study, which involved participation in one stress management workshop (intervention group only) and both groups reading an education booklet on stress management.Results We found that 22.1% of caregivers in the study were at high risk of depressive stress and in need of mental health consultation; this prevalence was nearly six times that of the general population. The effectiveness of mental health initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in depressive stress for the intervention group.Conclusions The study highlights that a “face-to-face” workshop is an effective way to decrease levels of depressive stress.