AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF MENTAL RETARDATION IN MANGALORE

1Bhagya Bhaskar, 2Sucharitha Suresh

1Bhagya Bhaskar, 2Sucharitha Suresh 1 MSc, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. 2 MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Objectives: This study determines the prevalence of mental retardation among children between 5 to 18 years of age in Mangalore by sex, age, religion, and location. Distribution of severity of mental retardation and its relationship with sociodemographic variables and various causes is reported.

Materials and methods: The prevalence was obtained from the Inclusive Education Resource Centre reports of 2011. Sex age, religion and living area were evaluated for each child. Parents of the mentally retarded children were interviewed to study the probable causes. Intelligence Quotient was assessed using Binet Kamat Test, Seguin Form Board and Vineland Social Maturity Scale.

RESULTS: The prevalence of mental retardation was 561 (19.9%) of the total disabilities recorded. There was no significant difference in prevalence between male and female ratio in rural and urban areas. Prevalence below 15 years in rural and above 15 years in urban was significantly higher. The percentage of mild, moderate, severe and profound mental retardation was 49%, 29%, 14% and 8% respectively. The etiology was unknown in 40% of children. Timing of the causes showed prenatal in 35.7% perinatal in 7.9% and postnatal in 27.3% children.

CONCLUSION: The outcome of the study is that most of the causes for mental retardation are either prenatal or postnatal which can be prevented.

Keywords: Mental retardation, Intelligence quotient, causes, Mangalore