A STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN A RURAL POPULATION
Human life is enriched by mechanical, recreational and innovative activities performed by an individual. Disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and the society in which he or she lives. The objective of the study is to study the prevalence of physical disability in Orathur rural population.. Data was collected by house to house survey of rural population, Orathur, Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu through pre structured questionnaire and Clinical examination . Data was analyzed statistically. A total of 4508 population were surveyed in this study to find out the prevalence of disability and burden of disability. Totally 308 physically disabled persons were identified (6.8% prevalence rate). It was found that Visual disability was most common disability and most of respondents were men and studied up to primary level of education. Majority of them suffering from II degree of disability. Information on extent of impact of disabilities is required to formulate future policies aiming at improving quality of life of disabled people and making them economically independent