INVESTIGATION OF HOME SAFETY IN NEUROLOGICAL DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Öz

Purpose: This study was planned to determine of the home safety conditions and risks in the living environments of individuals with neurological disabilities residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Methods: A total of 50 patients living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA; n=28), Parkinson's Disease (PD; n=6), Multiple Sclerosis (MS; n=5), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI; n=11) were included in the study. Participants' disability levels were determined using the Modified Rankin Scale, Modified Hoehn Yahr Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale and American Spinal Injury Association Score. Participants' home security status was assessed with the Home Security Checklist (HSC). Results: The mean total HSC scores of the patients are 19.10±5.59. The total HSC score was higher in patients with stroke compared to the other patient groups (p < 0.05). In addition, while the household tasks sub-dimension was higher in patients with SCI, the outdoor and garden sub-dimension were higher in patients with stroke (p < 0.05). Furthermore, according to the results obtained, 80% of the patients’ homes were classified as ‘hazardous’. However, none of the homes were rated as ‘excellent’ in terms of safety. Coclusion: The findings of our study demonstrated that the home safety conditions of individuals with neurological disabilities who reside in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are highly inadequate and hazardous. Secondary problems that may arise from home accidents in individuals with neurological disabilities can be easily prevented through regular home assessments and the implementation of necessary modifications. In this respect, the results of our study provide a foundation for future research aimed at enhancing home safety for individuals with neurological disabilities.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Home Safety
• Neurological Disability
• Living Environment

KUZEY KIBRIS TÜRK CUMHURİYETİNDE YAŞAYAN NÖROLOJİK ENGELLİ BİREYLERİN EV GÜVENLİĞİNİN İNCELENMESİ

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti’nde nörolojik özüre sahip bireylerin yaşam alanlarını güvenlik durumu ve risklerini belirlemek amacıyla planlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmaya Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti’nde yaşayan, Spinal Kord Yaralanması (SKY; n=11), Parkinson Hastalığı (PH; n=6), Serebrovasküler Olay (SVO; n=28), Multipl Sklerozis (MS; n=5), toplam 50 hasta alınmıştır. Katılımcılara Ev Güvenlik Kontrol Listesi (EGKL) kullanılarak ev güvenliği, özür düzeyleri ise Modifiye Hoehn Yahr Skalası, Modifiye Rankin Skalası, Amerikan Spinal Yaralanma Derneği Skoru, Genişletilmiş Özürlülük Durum Ölçeği ile değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar: Katılımcıların toplam EGKL ortalama puanlar 19,10±5,59’dir. Katılımcıların toplam EGKL ortalama puanı 19,10±5,59’dur. EGKL toplam puanı, SVO’lu hastalarda diğer hasta gruplarına kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha yüksektir (p < 0.05). Ayrıca, ev işleri alt boyutu SKY’lı hastalarda daha yüksek bulunurken; ev dışı ve bahçe alt boyutu puanları SVO’lu hastalarda diğer gruplara göre daha yüksektir (p < 0.05). Bunun yanı sıra elde edilen sonuçlara göre, hastaların %80’inin evi ‘tehlikeli’ olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Ancak hiçbir ev güvenlik açısından ‘mükemmel’ olarak sınıflandırılmamıştır. Tartışma: Çalışmamızın bulguları, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti'nde yaşayan nörolojik engele sahip bireylerin ev güvenliği koşullarının oldukça tehlikeli ve yetersiz olduğunu vurgulamıştır. Nörolojik engelli bireylerde ev kazalarından kaynaklanabilecek ikincil sorunlar, düzenli ev değerlendirmeleri ve gerekli düzenlemelerin uygulanmasıyla kolayca önlenebilir. Bu bağlamda, çalışmamızın bulguları, nörolojik engelli bireylerde ev güvenliğinin artırılmasına yönelik gelecekte yürütülecek araştırmalar açısından önemli bir dayanak oluşturmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ev Güvenliği
• Nörolojik Özür
• Yaşam Ortamı

Kaynakça

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