"Disability in rural adult population of Karnataka: insights from a community-based cross-sectional survey"

PURPOSE: At some point in their life, almost everyone will experience disability temporarily or permanently. Currently 16% of the global population experience significant disability. It is necessary to know the needs of Person with Disabilities. It is necessary to know the needs of person with Disabilities, and this can be done by estimating the burden in the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 study participants in one of the rural field practice areas of J.N Medical College, KAHER, Belagavi, Karnataka by using population proportionate sampling from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023 (12 months), using a WHO Brief MDS Survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 400 study participants, 84 (21%) participants had no disability, 139 (34.8%) participants had mild disability, 118 (29.4%) participants had moderate disability and 59 (14.8%) participants had severe disability as per the criteria. Increasing age (p = 0.000, χ² = 117.819), being widowed (p = 0.001, χ² = 23.206) and having elementary and secondary educational level (p = 0.000, χ² = 27.592) were significantly associated with disability. Prevalence of use of assistive technology was 9.75%. Prevalence of partial unmet need and complete unmet need of assistive technology was 17.94% and 7.76% respectively. CONCLUSION: Eight out of ten rural adults had disability. More than one third of them had mild and moderate type of disability and less than one fifth of them had severe disability. Increasing age, widowhood and low educational level were associated with increasing disability.