Abstract
BackgroundRecent literature indicates that developing countries in Asia are aging faster than other countries in the world and disability has become one of the greater public health concern in these countries. Pausity of published data on the elderly disability in Iran signifies the importance of this study designed to evaluate the disability and its related factors among the elderly population in Kashan, Iran during 2006–2007.Methods/DesignA cross-sectional study is conducting on a multy-stage random sample of elderly people in Kashan ages 65 years and older. Volunteer participants were included by age 65 and older and excluded if they had the medical diagnosis of Alzhimer disease. The WHO DAS II was used as the generic disability measure in this survey. The original version of WHO DAS II was translated into Farsi according to the standardized guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of health-related measures. Upon completion of data collection the descriptive statistics will compute all the variables. Chi-square, t-test analysis and ANOVA will be used to examine significant differences between the subgroups.DiscussionThis is the first research protocol to study disability among the Iranian elderly population. Presently, 80% of eligible subjects have been selected. The results of this study will help to develop more effective protocols to assist Iranian elderly population with disabilities.
Highlights
Recent literature indicates that developing countries in Asia are aging faster than other countries in the world and disability has become one of the greater public health concern in these countries
With the countinuing rise in life expectancy, the human life span is divided into four ages: 1) the age of dependency, childhood, and education; 2) the age of independence, maturity, and responsibility; 3) the period of fulfilment for physical and mental health fit for retirement; and 4) the old age that is associated with disability and dependency [2]
The costs associated with disabilities of the elderly are high and continuing to grow accounting for 3.6% of the United Kingdom (UK) gross domestic product and some have suggested that overall costs might rise as high as 10.8% by 2030 [12,13]
Summary
Disability due to physical, mental, or emotional health problems is a major public health issue, resulting in the reduction of life quality and increased dependence on the health-care system. This study will provide the first data set on this subject. To date, this is the first research protocol to study disability among the Iranian elderly population. This is the first research protocol to study disability among the Iranian elderly population This population is at risk for changes in their bodily mechanisms and for the lack of authority attention to the rapid increase of aging population and their health care needs. Different disability measures exist, for this study researchers selected the WHO DAS II questionnaires for its cultural appropriateness to the Iranian population. The pending results of the data analysis will help the health care providers gain more insight into the scope of disability among the Iranian elderly. The results of this study will be available in 2008
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
