title: House-to-house survey of disabilities in rural communities in the north of the West Bank.
abstract: To identify the prevalence of disability and characteristics, conditions and needs of those with disabilities in rural communities in the north of the West Bank, 10 147 families were screened in a cross-sectional survey. Prevalence was 1.7% (806 persons with disabilities). Physical (34.0%), mental (15.9%) and speech (11.4%) disabilities were the commonest. The major cause as perceived by the families was heredity (30.5%): parental consanguinity was 50.8%. Economic conditions were the major problem for 41.1%, and the main barrier to receiving care: only 49.3% were receiving some kind of care. Integration in educational, work and social activities was low. Pressing needs included medical care, support equipment, and educational, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, East Jerusalem, Occupied Palestinian Territory. mhamdan@med.alquds
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamdan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Akhras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D003241:Consanguinity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000193:education / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires