Abstract

Background: People with disabilities are more vulnerable than general population to a range of problem including fatigue, depression, and social isolation and have more limited access to health care. It is among the poorest communities that poverty breeds disablement and disablement breeds poverty, a vicious cycle that the poor can least affords. Most of the disabilities can be prevented if proper preventive and rehabilitative measures of impairments are undertaken.

Aims & Objectives: To study awareness and utilization of rehabilitation services among disabled.

Materials and Methods: Multistage sampling technique was used in this study. For determining target sample size, population proportionate sampling was used. All the family members who are regular resident of the village were considered for the study. Disability criteria of National Sample Survey (NSS) 2002, was used. Data was analyzed for rates and proportions.

Results: Prevalence of physical disabilities was 19.46 per 1000. 64.71% disabled were unaware about the availability of the rehabilitation services and unawareness was main reason for not availing rehabilitation services. Amongst physically disabled, 65.85% discontinued the treatment and 19.51% had not taken treatment at all.

Conclusion: There is lack of awareness and utilization regarding the available rehabilitation services in the country. Physical disability was found to be higher among illiterates and community having low and medium standard of living.

Key words: Physical Disability; Rehabilitation Services; Awareness; Utilization