35. Mash'al, J. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Carers of Children With Disabilities in the West Bank (Palestine). MSc dissertation, Institute of Child Health, University of London, 1990.

The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices of carers of disabled children. Ninety-three disabled children were surveyed. All were enrolled in the UPMRC home- based rehabilitation program.

Mothers were the principal care-takers of the surveyed disabled children. It was found that the presence of a disabled child in the family imposed restrictions and stress on the social activities of those who take care of them. The inability of disabled children to perform activities of daily life was found to be the main problem facing their care-takers. Considerable unnecessary time and money were spent on health services, because the condition of the disabled children was not adequately explained to their families. There was considerable discrepancy between carers' practices and their perception of suitable treatment. It is concluded that attitudes towards disability have changed in a positive direction and that advantage should be taken of this change to provide better support to the disabled people.