Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore.
Saw Swee Hock Public Health, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549, Singapore.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 11;18(24):13090. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413090.
The study aims to estimate the prevalence of disability and the association of disability with socio-demographic correlates and health outcomes among the Singapore population.
Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Singapore's population. Using the Washington Group's questionnaire, disability was defined using both the 'standard' (a lot of difficulty or higher in one or more domains) and the 'wider' threshold (of 'some' or greater difficulty). Data on socio-demographic correlates, self-reported lifestyle, physical activity, chronic conditions, and health-related quality of life were also collected.
The prevalence of any disability using the standard threshold was 3.1% (95% CI: 2.4-4.1). When separated by disability type, mobility (1.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by vision (0.8%), cognition (0.5%), hearing (0.3%), and self-care (0.2). In the adjusted regression analysis, lower education and unemployed and economically inactive status (versus employed) were significantly associated with disability.
Although this prevalence is lower than other countries, it is a significant finding in terms of actual numbers and impact at both the individual and the societal levels. Our findings also highlight the need to strengthen health services and preventive interventions targeting older adults and those who are physically inactive to reduce the burden of disability in these groups.
本研究旨在估计新加坡人口的残疾流行率，以及残疾与社会人口学相关因素和健康结果之间的关联。
对新加坡代表性人群进行面对面访谈。使用华盛顿小组的问卷，根据“标准”（一个或多个领域有很大困难或更高）和“更广泛”的标准（“一些”或更大的困难）定义残疾。还收集了社会人口学相关因素、自我报告的生活方式、身体活动、慢性疾病和与健康相关的生活质量的数据。
使用标准门槛，任何残疾的患病率为 3.1%（95%CI：2.4-4.1）。按残疾类型划分，行动障碍（1.8%）最为常见，其次是视力障碍（0.8%）、认知障碍（0.5%）、听力障碍（0.3%）和自理障碍（0.2%）。在调整后的回归分析中，较低的教育程度和失业及经济不活跃状态（相对于就业）与残疾显著相关。
尽管这一患病率低于其他国家，但就个人和社会层面的实际数量和影响而言，这是一个重要的发现。我们的研究结果还强调需要加强针对老年人和身体不活跃者的卫生服务和预防干预措施，以减轻这些人群的残疾负担。
