Prevention

Prevention

• WCAPD
• 31/08/2015

Not all disabilities are preventable, yet there are those whose incidence may be greatly reduced.  Our attention is focussed specifically on those conditions that have the largest incidence in our service area.

Primary prevention

Primary prevention reduces the incidence of disabilities by preventing risk factors which cause impairment. Success of these interventions eliminate any possibility that disability will occur.

• Educating the population on the dangers of consuming alcohol whilst pregnant, resulting in non-reversible Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The Western Cape has the highest incident of FAS in the world, and many of our beneficiaries have this diagnosis.
• Awareness raising on the importance of wearing a seat belt when riding a motor vehicle, so as to minimise the risk of spinal cord injury resulting motor vehicle accidents.
• Promotion of health lifestyles and an awareness of the risk factors for stroke, heart disease and diabetes. These may often be prevented by changing one’s lifestyle, thereby reducing one’s risk for contracting such conditions.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention targets an existing risk factor and removes or reduces it. Prevention efforts are aimed at an identified group of people who either show symptoms of a disabling condition or are considered to be “high risk” for the development of such a condition, where the impairment may be reduced rather than prevented.

Correct healthcare practices for a wheelchair user prevents pressure sores, while correct seating prevents contractures, spinal curvature and respiratory issues, no matter the cause of the impairment.