Abebe Solomon Mekonnen, Abera Mikyas, Nega Ansha, Gizaw Zemichael, Bayisa Mulugeta, Demissie Solomon Fasika, Belay Molalign, Fekadu Abel, Wakene Wondwossen, Eriku Getachew Azeze
Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Department of Sociology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Int J Public Health. 2025 Apr 23;70:1607816. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2025.1607816. eCollection 2025.
To assess the severity, prevalence and reasons for disability in Northwestern Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional study design among 17,000 households in 13 Kebeles of Dabat district. The modified 12-item World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) and 7-item WHO Domains of Functioning and Health was used to collect survey data.
The overall prevalence of severe disability was 9.04%. This prevalence increased with age. Visual impairments were the most commonly reported type of disabilities. In 83% of the study participants, the causes of disability were modifiable, such as illness (36.93%), injury (17.81%), and congenital (10.86%). The elderly, those unable to read and write, the single and the separated were significantly associated with severe disabilities.
This study found severe disability is highly prevalent in Dabat district. Visual impairments were the most common reported types of disabilities, followed by mobility and hearing difficulties. Most individuals with disabilities had not completed high school, and employment opportunities were limited. Disability could be prevented through early screening and timely treatment, as many of the risk factors are modifiable.
评估埃塞俄比亚西北部残疾的严重程度、患病率及原因。
在达巴特区13个 Kebeles 的17000户家庭中开展基于社区的横断面研究设计。采用经修改的12项世界卫生组织残疾评估量表（WHODAS 2.0）和7项世界卫生组织功能与健康领域量表收集调查数据。
严重残疾的总体患病率为9.04%。该患病率随年龄增长而上升。视力障碍是最常报告的残疾类型。在83%的研究参与者中，残疾原因是可改变的，如疾病（36.93%）、损伤（17.81%）和先天性（10.86%）。老年人、文盲、单身和分居者与严重残疾显著相关。
本研究发现严重残疾在达巴特区高度流行。视力障碍是最常报告的残疾类型，其次是行动和听力困难。大多数残疾人未完成高中学业，就业机会有限。由于许多风险因素是可改变的，通过早期筛查和及时治疗可预防残疾。
