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Abstract

Purpose: This project addressed the lack of disability prevalence data in the North West Region of Cameroon. Methods: A multi-stage cluster design was used, and included urban, semi-urban and rural areas. In the first stage, the team screened 3,933 households, representing an estimated screening sample of 18, 878 individuals. In the second stage, structured interviews were conducted. The interviews included the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Checklist to confirm disability status and determine the nature of disability. Results: A total sample of 1,233 individuals screened positive for having a disability. According to this study’s cluster design the prevalence of screening positive for disability in this region was 6.9% (95% CLs 5.7-8.2%) and the population prevalence of disability was 6.2% (95% CLs 5.2-7.2%). Of the individuals who screened positive for disability, 1,106 (89.7%) of them had a participation restriction or activity limitation which was of moderate severity or greater, suggesting that the screening tool was useful for identifying many persons living with moderate or severe disability but not very sensitive at identifying people with minor disabilities. Conclusions: Although certain limitations in the study’s methods must be taken into account, these results can be used to justify the need for, and inform the design of, programming for individuals with disabilities in this region. 

Article Details

Author Biography

Lynn Cockburn, University of Toronto

Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

and Member of Executive and Chair, ICDR-Cameroon, International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation

Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

 

How to Cite
Cockburn, L., Cleaver, S., & Benuh, E. (2014). The Prevalence of Impairments and Disabilities in the North West Region, Cameroon. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v15i2.332
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