Navigating the Covid-19 Pandemic's Impact On Children With Disabilities And Their Families in Azerbaijan

Abstract

This study was designed to identify major health concerns related to special children during Covid-19 lockdown, including school closures, service reduc-tion, healthcare access restrictions, and unique challenges associated with car-ing for children with disabilities that significantly impact their daily lives and well-being. National questionnaire was designed by researchers and dissemi-nated in Azerbaijan from December 25, 2023 to March 05, 2024, physically. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Western, Eastern, as well as Northeast parts of Azerbaijan, a total of 108 parents completed a clinical and demographic survey. Data on children's care, rehabilitation, education, and family organization was collected. The first 108 eligible surveys were ana-lyzed. This study found that the COVID-19 lockdown has increased physical, social, psychological, and financial challenges for parents and fami-lies of special needs children. Child health and access to basic facilities and rehabilitation services are harmed by this pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, Children with disabilities, Pandemic lockdown, Sur-vey analysis, Azerbaijan.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Engelli çocuklar
• Anket analizi
• Azerbaycan.

Navigating the covid-19 pandemic's impact on children with disabilities and their families in Azerbaijan

Abstract

This study was designed to identify major health concerns related to special children during Covid-19 lockdown, including school closures, service reduction, healthcare access restrictions, and unique challenges associated with caring for children with disabilities that significantly impact their daily lives and well-being. National questionnaire was designed by researchers and disseminated in Azerbaijan from December 25, 2023 to March 05, 2024, physically. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Western, Eastern, as well as Northeast parts of Azerbaijan, a total of 108 parents completed a clinical and demographic survey. Data on children's care, rehabilitation, education, and family organization was collected. The first 108 eligible surveys were analyzed. This study found that the COVID-19 lockdown has increased physical, social, psychological, and financial challenges for parents and families of special needs children. Child health and access to basic facilities and rehabilitation services are harmed by this pandemic.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Children with disabilities
• Pandemic lockdown
• Survey analysis
• Azerbaijan.

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