Clientele profile of early intervention services: a focus on eye health

Abstract Objectives: To describe and analyze the profile of children with developmental disorders treated at early intervention services (IP) and their mothers or caregivers, focusing on aspects related to the child's ocular health. Methods: Quantitative survey, exploratory-descriptive. The data collection instrument consisted of a questionnaire applied with mothers or caregivers of children assisted in IP services. The data were transcribed in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed based on simple descriptive statistics. The sample consisted of 273 subjects. Results: There was a prevalence of mothers (84.2%) between 30 and 40 years old (38.8%). The children were between 1 and 2 years of age (34.8%), and, for the most part, with Down's Syndrome (26.7%). The mean age of entry of children in IP services was 7.93 months and the age at first consultation with the ophthalmologist - of those who had already performed (82.8%) - was 6.8 months, with 45,6% presented ophthalmological alterations, predominating strabismus (40.8%). Conclusions: The results obtained allowed the identification and characterization of mothers or caregivers and children attending IP services, especially in questions related to ocular health. Understanding this scenario should support actions aimed at ocular health education, prevention and rehabilitation and should be directed to IP services, managers, families and children.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在描述并分析接受早期干预服务（Early Intervention Services，IP）的发育障碍儿童及其母亲或照料者的基本特征，重点关注与儿童眼部健康相关的方面。
方法：本研究为定量调查，采用探索性描述性研究设计。数据收集工具为针对在IP服务机构接受照护的儿童的母亲或照料者发放的调查问卷。数据录入至Microsoft Excel电子表格中，并采用简单描述性统计学方法进行分析。本研究共纳入273名研究对象。
结果：研究对象中84.2%为儿童的母亲，其中38.8%的母亲年龄处于30~40岁区间。儿童年龄多集中于1~2岁（34.8%），其中以唐氏综合征（Down's Syndrome）患儿占比最高（26.7%）。儿童入组IP服务的平均年龄为7.93月龄；已接受眼科医师初诊的儿童占比为82.8%，其首次眼科就诊的平均年龄为6.8月龄，其中45.6%存在眼部异常，以斜视最为常见，占比40.8%。
结论：本研究所得结果明确了接受IP服务的儿童及其母亲/照料者的基本特征与画像，尤其是在眼部健康相关领域。明晰这一现状可为眼部健康教育、预防与康复相关行动提供支撑，相关行动应面向IP服务机构、管理者、家庭及儿童开展。