Clinical, functional, and social assessment of people with disabilities. Municipalities of Holguín and Gibara, Cuba, 2023-2024

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction. Defining, diagnosing, and assessing disability is difficult because it involves interactions between the individual and the environment. Disability is defined when functions are impaired, activity limitations, and participation restrictions are present. In Cuba, the DisCifCuba software was designed using sociodemographic variables and the WHODAS 2.0 Questionnaire from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Objective.To identify the degree of disability of the study population using the DisCifCuba software. Method. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipalities of Holguín and Gibara, Holguín province, Cuba, from November 6, 2023, to March 31, 2024. The sample consisted of those in Group IV who were admitted to the hospital in 2022 and a sample of Groups I, II, and III, aged two years and older. Results. The most affected functions were cognitive function, gait, vision, and hearing. 76.0% had some function impairment. 36.2% were in the age group of 60 and over. It was found that these individuals were limited in several functions within the Self-Care domain. Conclusions.
Health authorities will have access to substantiated information about people with disabilities, which will enable them to make decisions about the services required for health care, functionality, and social problems. Keywords:Disability; public health; function; activity; participation.