Proposing a model for disability classification

Disability has been an important problem among populations throughout history. In Turkey, data about quantity of disabled people, kinds of disability and underlying factors is inadequate. This kind of information is necessary for determining key points for prevention, treatment and precautions to help the disabled. Scientific and accurate data can be obtained through comprehensive epidemiological researches held country wide.The aim of this study is to determine prevalence, kinds and epidemiological characteristics of disability in Aydin city center; applying International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) developed by WHO; help promotion of health of disabled people by generating statistical data.The research was made between October 2006-May 2007 within municipality boundaries of Aydin province. This is a cross-sectional study. Sample size was determined as 1200 houses and 4462 people. Accessibility was 98.1% for houses and 82.6% for people.In order to determine prevalence of disability, two questionnaires used in the `Turkey Disability Study? which was held in 2002 by Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Turkish Statistical Institute and Prime Ministry Administration for Disabled People as well as WHO DAS-II scale developed by WHO were applied. The first questionnaire was filled in for all houses; the second one was filled in for the people who were found to be disabled after the first questionnaire. WHO DAS-II was filled in for the disabled people 18 years and older. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5.Prevalence of disability was found 15.7%. It was significantly higher in people older than 65 years; whose education level is elementary or less and whose wife/husband was dead or divorced.Among the disability groups, the disability kinds detected most often were; chronic diseases (63.7%), orthopedic disorders (11.5%), psychological disorders (8.5%), disorders about seeing (6.3%) and hearing (5.0%) respectively.Kinds of disability were significantly higher in men than in women except for chronic diseases and psychological disorders (p< 0.001).When WHO DAS-II average scores were assessed according to kinds of disability, highest scores were found in people with psychological disorders; followed by people with disorders about language and talking. Especially people with psychological disorders were found to be performing their basic daily living activities either with someone else?s help or not performing them at all.