Prevalence and impact of disability in north-western Ethiopia.

PURPOSE To assess the prevalence and impact of disability in one urban and three rural areas in north-western Ethiopia. METHODS The study design is cross-sectional and quantitative. Data was collected by using pretested and standardized structured questionnaires containing socio-demographic characteristics, type of disability, functional, and social dysfunction. RESULTS A total of 932 individuals with disability were found out of a total of 24,453 individuals giving the overall crude disability rate for the three towns as 3.8%. Disability in the lower locomotor was the most frequently reported type - 442 (47.0%) - followed by blindness 269 (28.6%), upper motor 152 (16.1%), mental retardation 97 (10.3%) and hearing loss 78 (8.3%) respectively. The major self-care problem experienced by the disabled is toileting in 292 (31.1%) cases, bathing in 248 (26.4%) and dressing 157 (16.7%). Other problems experienced by the respondents are parents' negative attitudes towards the disabled, evidenced by hiding them. This was observed in 340 (36.2%) cases. No care was provided by caregivers in 221 (23.6%) cases. CONCLUSION The majority of disabled people have problems with activities of daily life especially toileting, bathing and dressing. Interventions to alleviate the problems of the disabled should be designed and implemented.