Health Awareness of Young People with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities

Introduction: Human health awareness is defined as a complex cognitive structure responsible for directing and organizing health behavior. Due to the nature of intellectual disability, including the frequent co-occurrence of health problems, it seems crucial to understand this structure in people with moderate intellectual disabilities. Research Aim: The aim of the research was to present the level of knowledge of health and disease in the study group of young people with moderate intellectual disabilities and the place of health in the hierarchy of their values, which are elements of health awareness. The study included a total of 27 people (16 women – 59.26% and 11 men – 40.74%). The respondents were aged 13 to 19. Method: The diagnostic survey method was used, with a standardized interview technique in the form of a guided conversation. In order to measure the place of health in the respondents’ hierarchy of values, a modified questionnaire Personal Values List – PVL was used, adapted to the cognitive abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. Results: The results show that the majority of the people with moderate intellectual disabilities taking part in the questionnaire achieved high knowledge scores in the following categories: health and disease, physical activity, body hygiene, nutrition, safety. Two categories were at the average level: rest and medical assistance. In addition, for two of the respondents, good health was the highest value, next to love, friendship, nice appearance, wealth, knowledge and wisdom, courage and kindness. Conclusions: The present research results provide an important rationale for systematic health promotion activities among students with moderate intellectual disabilities in order to prevent and eliminate undesirable health behaviors.