RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the environmental factors of children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 164 caregivers of children/adolescents with CP, aged 1-14 years. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to classify the participants' functioning, and environmental factors were evaluated by an on-line questionnaire that examined products and technologies, physical environment, services, and systems. A descriptive analysis was performed using percentage and frequency. RESULTS: Most participants had bilateral CP (66.9%) and 45% of them were spastic. Levels II and V of the GMFCS and MACS were the most frequent. About half (49.4%) used anticonvulsants, 27.4% underwent botulinum toxin application, and 29% went through orthopedic surgery in the lower limbs. Among the participants, 71.3% used orthoses in the lower limbs, and 51.8% used the public health care system. Most had access to physiotherapy (91.5%), but found difficulties to access interventions with other professionals, such as psychologists (28%) and nutritionists (37.8%). The school was the most frequently adapted environment (78%), and had the highest level of structural adaptation (42.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the barriers to access health services and barriers to the physical environment may impact participation and social inclusion.

Asunto(s)

Parálisis Cerebral , Niño , Humanos , Adolescente , Parálisis Cerebral/epidemiología , Destreza Motora , Estudios Transversales , Brasil/epidemiología , Evaluación de la Discapacidad

RESUMEN

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the environmental factors of children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 164 caregivers of children/adolescents with CP, aged 1-14 years. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to classify the participants' functioning, and environmental factors were evaluated by an on-line questionnaire that examined products and technologies, physical environment, services, and systems. A descriptive analysis was performed using percentage and frequency. Results: Most participants had bilateral CP (66.9%) and 45% of them were spastic. Levels II and V of the GMFCS and MACS were the most frequent. About half (49.4%) used anticonvulsants, 27.4% underwent botulinum toxin application, and 29% went through orthopedic surgery in the lower limbs. Among the participants, 71.3% used orthoses in the lower limbs, and 51.8% used the public health care system. Most had access to physiotherapy (91.5%), but found difficulties to access interventions with other professionals, such as psychologists (28%) and nutritionists (37.8%). The school was the most frequently adapted environment (78%), and had the highest level of structural adaptation (42.7%). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the barriers to access health services and barriers to the physical environment may impact participation and social inclusion.

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RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar os fatores ambientais de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral (PC) no estado de Minas Gerais (MG), Brasil. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal envolvendo 164 cuidadores de crianças/adolescentes com PC, na faixa etária de um a 14 anos. O Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa (GMFCS) e o Sistema de Classificação da Habilidade Manual (MACS) foram utilizados para classificar a funcionalidade dos participantes e os fatores ambientais foram avaliados por um questionário on-line que abordou produtos e tecnologias, ambiente físico, serviços e sistemas. Análises descritivas foram realizadas por meio de porcentagem e frequência. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes tinha PC bilateral (66,9%) e 45% deles eram espásticos. Os níveis II e V do GMFCS e MACS foram os mais frequentes. Cerca de metade (49,4%) fazia uso de anticonvulsivantes, 27,4% realizaram aplicação de toxina botulínica e 29% cirurgia ortopédica em membros inferiores. Utilizavam órteses em membros inferiores 71,3% e eram usuários do sistema público de saúde 51,8%. A maioria tinha acesso à fisioterapia (91,5%), mas dificuldade de acesso a intervenções com outros profissionais, como psicólogos (28%) e nutricionistas (37,8%). A escola foi o ambiente mais frequentado (78%) e também mais adaptado estruturalmente (42,7%). Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que barreiras de acesso aos serviços de saúde e barreiras no ambiente físico podem impactar a participação e inclusão social.