Renáta Jávorné Erdei, Associate Professor1, Ágota Barabás, Assistant Professor1, Orsolya Pocsainé Kiss, Assistant Professor1, Jádi Dorottya, teacher1, Viktória Pázmány, Assistant Professor1
1University of Debrecen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Methodology and Prevention, 4400, Nyíregyháza, Sóstói út 2-4.
One of the main research directions of the Department of Health Methodology and Prevention is the study of health behaviour, health promotion opportunities and lifestyle of disadvantaged and disabled population and their families.
The aim of our research is to explore the health behaviour, lifestyle, social environment and background factors influencing the health behaviour of children, young people with disabilities and their parents, and to identify possible spatial inequalities.
Our study combined quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (focus group interview) methods. We conducted pilot intervention programmes and impact evaluations.
Our preliminary results show that the nutritional habits of young people with disabilities are poor and that the proportion of young people participating in regular sporting activities is low, which is clearly linked to their financial situation. During the pilot intervention programme, we found that they had a deep knowledge of healthy eating combined with poor habits, poor oral hygiene knowledge, inappropriate behaviours in their social relationships, attachment problems, misidentification of relationships and emotions.
The findings of our research group provide data on the health behaviour of children with disabilities and their families, on some of the underlying factors influencing it, and may provide a basis for the development of targeted intervention programmes.
Keywords: disadvantage, disability, health behaviour