Morbidity pattern among the disabled in Ibadan, Nigeria: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

AbstractIn many countries, resources are not sufficient to meet the need for the rehabilitation and supportive services of the disabled population. More attention must be focused on them to reduce health inequality in our societies.A review of case files of patients with disability (n=155) and controls (n=526) at Oluyole Cheshire home, Ibadan, Nigeria from April, 2009 to December, 2010 was conducted using a total sampling method.The three most common groups of illnesses observed among the disabled were plasmodiasis (41.3%), upper respiratory tract infections (14.8%) and trauma following domestic accident and physical abuse (11.6%). Cervical spondylosis and arthralgia were the most common musculoskeletal disorders (OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.95–12.53). The disabled were significantly more likely than the controls to be physically assaulted (OR 6.15; 95% CI 2.84–13.33).The findings from this study demand prompt diagnosis and prevention of malaria, respiratory tract infection, cervical spondylosis, and physical abuse in all disabled patients in our environment.