Health Practices among the blind and their coping strategies during illness

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the health practices and coping strategies of the blind during illness. Specifically, the study sought to determine the level to which the blind practices health guidelines promote personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, proper food and nutrition, management of common illness and their level of adaptation to the specified coping strategies during illness. The study also sought to determine the significant differences on the level of practice on the health guidelines and coping strategies when the respondents are compared according to age, gender and marital status. A total of sixty (60) blind respondents were interviewed in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet. The study utilized descriptive quantitative research design in the presentation of relative data. Data were obtained through the use of questionnaire that elicited likert-type responses (e.g. always, often, sometimes and never). The average weighted mean was used to compute the level to which the blind practices the health guideline and coping strategies as employed by the respondents. Frequency count, on the other hand, was used to tabulate data. After the data has been clustered and tabulated, the T-test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed the bind often practices the health guidelines in the promotion of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, proper food and nutrition and adaptation of the coping strategies during illness. On the other hand, the level to which the blind practices the health guidelines on the management of common illness is not on the level of often. Moreover, the study revealed that age, gender and marital status of the blind have no significant effect on the level of their practice on the health guidelines in the promotion of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, proper food and nutrition, and management of common illnesses. On the other hand, age and gender have significant effect on the level of adaptation of the specified coping strategies while marital status does not. To assist and support the needs of the blinds, health promotion programs should be implemented by Benguet State University College of Nursing through information dissemination (pamphlets, brochures and conducting seminars) on proper health practices on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, food and nutrition, management of common illness and adaptation of coping strategies. Self-medications and consultation to physician must also be emphasized to the blind people. Further, since massage clinic are the most place where blind people are employed, guidelines on usage of protective barriers and sanitation equipment shall be developed. This intervention help to prevent diseases that can emerge from direct contact to their clients such as Hepatitis B, skin diseases, etc. It is also encouraged for the blind people to have adequate eating healthy foods, enough rest and sleep periods, right exercise and stretching and to use effective coping strategies when ill. Finally, further study in relation to this field should be done by future researchers exploring other variables such as ethnicity, educational attainment and religious affiliation. Government assistance is also important in considering the blind not to be exploited.