Disparitats de salut en persones amb trastorns del desenvolupament intel·lectual

Identifier:  TDX:2901

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2901

Authors:  Folch Mas, Annabel

Abstract:
Background: International evidence indicates that people with intellectual developmental disorders experience health disparities and generally receive poorer quality health care than the general population. Nevertheless, there is a general lack of representative studies in Spain. Method: The aim of this doctoral thesis is to study the health and health care of people with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain by reviewing the available literature and analysing the data from the EDAD-2008 survey, as well as developing and analysing the POMONA-ESP project as the first study designed to obtain representative epidemiological data on the health of this population in Spain. Results: People with intellectual developmental disorders in Spain have different rates of mental disorders and health conditions in comparison with the general population. Conditions such as epilepsy, constipation and oral problems are highly prevalent among people with intellectual developmental disorders. In addition, their health profiles depend on variables such as gender, degree of institutionalization, age and severity of intellectual disability. Their use of health services differs from the general population, and gaps on their health care have been identified on several levels: information, assessment, genetic counselling, prevention and health promotion, and risk of overmedication. Conclusions: These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the health status and needs of people with intellectual developmental disorders. The results also provide representative data for this population in Spain, and suggest several courses of action to improve their health and health care.