Prevalence and impact of physical disability on Malaysian school-aged children: a population-based survey.

Purpose: To determine the magnitude and impact of physical disability on Malaysian school-aged children between 7 and less than 18 years old.

Method: Cross-sectional population-based household interview with two-stage stratified sampling design.

Setting: The Malaysian Third National Health of Morbidity Survey, 2006.

Results: Overall prevalence of physical disability was 2.8 per 1000 population among children aged between 7 and less than 18 years old. The commonest cause was congenital, in 61.5% of the affected children. Slightly more than a third of these children with physical disability were partially or totally dependent on their caregivers in the various areas of self care (37.4%) and mobility (34.9%). We also found that the more severe the physical disability, the more adverse impact it had on the functional independence and community participation of these children. Among these children, almost 40% of them had no verbal communication, 31.5% had not attended formal education and 21% were housebound.

Conclusion: This population-based survey on physical disability among school-aged children highlighted the key areas where physical disability can greatly impact on the child's function. It has identified the areas of needs that require multisectoral involvement and commitment from the government, non-government and private agencies.