Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:1642

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1642

Authors:
López Bastida, Anton

Abstract:
Disability Evaluation Centres belong to the Department of Welfare and Family of the Catalan Government and are responsible for certifying disabilities in Catalonia. In this text, we have studied the characteristics and evolution of the population with a certified handicap between 1970 and 2002 (n=305,943). The methodology is based on a descriptive analysis (cross sectional and evolutive). We report the incidence of disability, impairment, diagnosis and aetiology together with disability status (criteria for mobility and personal autonomy). We also compare the results with Spanish and foreign studies.In 1999, the Spanish Government developed a new system for determining disability (B.O.E. -R.D. 1971/1999-). So we have a point at which we can study how these legislative changes affect the evaluation of the handicapped population. As a consequence we expect that this research will be a new tool for the Legislative Committee. We present a model that relates the predictor variables of disability level to other recorded variables.We have found no other papers that make detailed descriptions of impairments, disabilities, and handicaps and their evolution in Spain. Neither have we found studies on the new disability determination system, or on the variables that determine disability level.Methodology: Descriptive statistical analysis and categorical regression analysis were used.Results: The prevalence of people with a certified disability is 4.4%. Men under 45 years old are the dominant group. The median disability level is 50.2 out of a hundred (moderate disability). Women have more severe disabilities than men. The incidence and prevalence of population with mobility problems is higher than observed in other studies. The database shows that 9.5% of the data recorded is incom