ICF-based disability survey in a rural population of adults and older adults living in Cinco Villas, Northeastern Spain: design, methods and population characteristics.
BACKGROUND
This article describes the methods of a door-to-door screening survey exploring the distribution of disability and its major determinants in northeastern Spain. This study will set the basis for the development of disability-related services for the rural elderly in northeastern Spain.


METHODS
The probabilistic sample was composed of 1,354 de facto residents from a population of 12,784 Social Security card holders (age: > or = 50 years). Cognitive and disability screenings were conducted (period: June 2008-June 2009). Screening instruments were the MMSE and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. Participants screened positive for disability underwent an assessment protocol focusing on primary care diagnoses, disability, lifestyle, and social and health service usage. Participants screened positive for cognitive functioning went through in-depth neurological evaluation.


RESULTS
The study sample is described. Usable data were available for 1,216 participants. A total of 625 individuals (51.4%) scored within the positive range in the disability screening, while 135 (11.1%) scored within the positive range of the cognitive screening. The proportion of positively screened individuals was higher for women and increased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening surveys represent a feasible design for examining the distribution of disability and its determinants among the elderly. Data quality may benefit from methodological developments tailored to rural populations with a low education level.
de Pedro-Cuesta
Jesús
J
Department of Applied Epidemiology, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, ES-28029 Madrid, Spain. jpedro@isciii.es
Comín Comín
Magdalena
M
Virués-Ortega
Javier
J
Almazán Isla
Javier
J
Avellanal
Fuencisla
F
Alcalde Cabero
Enrique
E
Burzaco
Olga
O
Castellote
Juan Manuel
JM
Cieza
Alarcos
A
Damián
Javier
J
Forjaz
Maria João
MJ
Frades
Belén
B
Franco
Esther
E
Larrosa
Luis Alberto
LA
Magallón
Rosa
R
Martín García
Gloria
G
Martínez
Cristina
C
Martínez Martín
Pablo
P
Pastor-Barriuso
Roberto
R
Peña Jiménez
Ana
A
Población Martínez
Adolfo
A
Reed
Geoffrey
G
Ruíz
Cristina
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012042:Registries; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology