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.