[Epidemiological study on disabilities among ethnic minorities in China].

OBJECTIVE To explore the prevalence rates of disabilities among the ethnic minority people in China. METHODS Utilizing stratified, multiphase, and cluster probability sampling design, 2 526 145 persons were investigated and screened by trained interviewers, including 297 761 persons with ethnic minority backgrounds. Respondents scoring positive for potential problems were referred to physician for further diagnosis on disability and on scale measurement. RESULTS The overall prevalence rate of disability for both ethnic minority and Han population were 6.24% (95%CI: 6.16% - 6.51%) and 6.41% (95%CI: 6.38% - 6.51%) respectively. The total aggregate age-adjusted prevalence rate of disability was 7.31% for persons with ethnic minority. The prevalence rate of disabilities in male was significantly higher than that in females (7.31% vs. 6.75%). The ranking of prevalence rates on different type of disabilities were: physical disability 1.90% (95%CI: 1.89% - 1.91%), hearing disability 1.34% (95%CI: 1.33% - 1.35%), multiple disability 1.14% (95%CI: 1.13% - 1.15%), vision disability 0.99% (95%CI: 0.97% - 1.01%), psychiatric disability 0.38% (95%CI: 0.37% - 0.40%), intellectual disability 0.38% (0.37% - 0.39%) and speech disability 0.12% (0.11% - 0.13%). Cerebral Palsy, genetic diseases, tympanitis, cerebral disease and mental retardation (not including unknown items) were the major causes for disabled children with ethnicity background. Degenerated diseases, including osteoarthropathy, cerebrovascular disease, elderly-related deafness or cataract were most important causes for ethnic minority persons aged 60 or over. Injury, including traffic accident was important disabled-related factor for persons with minority ethnicity aged 15 - 59. The main causes and ranking of causes for ethnical minority were similar with that for Han population. CONCLUSION The prevalence rate of disability for ethnic minority persons was significantly higher than that for Han population in China. Prevention for different types of disability should be provided accordingly to persons with ethnic minority, in different age groups.