AbstractsMedical & Health Science

Abstract Children with disabilities are seldom listened to and are rarely able to express their feelings and thoughts on sports and physical activities. Aim The aim of this study is, therefore, to explore the experiences children with disabilities in Tanzania have while participating in physical activities at school. The research questions What types of activities do they participate in?How are the children included in the participation?What health related experiences do these children with disabilities gain through participating in physical activities at school and how are they manifested: socially, physically and psychologically? In the city of Morogoro, Tanzania there are several schools and centers which focus on special needs and many children come from all over the country to receive basic education and health services here. If they are registered at a school or center for rehabilitation they have an opportunity to get involved in physical activity. However, the types of activities often depend on the personnel at the institutions. Therefore, it is a suitable place to study the experiences of children with disabilities and as they participate in physical activity. Method The study included observing the structural aspects of the physical activities and interviewing the children and youth after they have participated in an activity. Results and conclusion The results from the three institutions in Morogoro, Tanzania suggested that these children have an understanding of the social, physical and psychological benefits of physical activity. They particularly stress the social implication i.e.; having friends. The findings also demonstrate that the children enjoy physical activities greatly and would like to do it even a 1000 times. They also claim that they are very good at the activity and their disability does not hinder their ability to participate in their daily routine of physical activity. Improvements of listening to these children might evoke the interest to enhance the accessibility to sporting arenas and physical activities for children with disabilities. This will further their development and improve their chances of becoming an individual who believes “I can do it!”  ; Sammanfattning Studier visar på att barn med funktionsnedsättningar sällan blir lyssnade på och får sällan chansen att uttrycka sina känslor och tankar kring deras deltagande i sporter och fysiska aktiviteter. Syfte Den här uppsatsen utforskar de upplevelser barn med funktionsnedsättningar i Tanzania får av att delta i olika fysiska aktiviteter i skolan. Frågeställningarna Vilka typer av aktiviteter deltar de i? Hur är barnen inkluderade i deltagandet? Vilka hälsorelaterade upplevelser får barnen från att delta i fysisk aktivitet and hur yttrar det sig; socialt, fysiskt och psykologiskt? I Morogoro, Tanzania finns det ett flertal skolor och center för barn med…