Health Status and Activity of Daily Living of Disabled Persons at Tamuang District in Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

          Disability was a state of health which is expressed in the form of loss of ability to do activities of daily living. Having disability can be a result of other health problems such as illness and injuries. Therefore, the basic information on health status and condition of the disabled  is necessary.

          This research was descriptive research which aimed to study health status and ability to perform activity of daily living of disabled people living in Wat (monastery) Wangkanai Tayikaram, Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province. Fifty-seven people with disabilities were a population and the study was conducted in January 2010. Research instruments included questionnaire of personal data of the disabled, a health assessment tool of the National Health Security Office, the screening tool for depression of the Department of Mental Health, and an assessment tool for the ability to perform daily activities.  Blood glucose level test before meal was also collected by finger puncture.

          The study found that most of disabled people are at risk for type 2 diabetes  with 71.90%.  The disabled people (57.89%) did not have depression which the number was close to the group with depression (42.11%). For the severity of disability and dependent status, it has found that most disabled people (43.90%) were bodily-dependent but may not be normal. However, the number of disabled people with moderate to very severe disability were 56.10%.

          Researchers suggested that there should be a surveillance project of diabetic type 2 in this disabled group. In addition there should be an ongoing health promotion programs to prevent diabetes and depression as well as rehabilitating the disabled to be self-reliant as possible.