Do self-reported changes in life situations have a role in screening for individuals at risk of participation restrictions?

Nicholls, P.G., Bakirtzief, Z., Van Brakel, W.H., Das-Pattanayak, R., Norman, G., Raju, M.S. and Mutatkar, R.K. (2006) Do self-reported changes in life situations have a role in screening for individuals at risk of participation restrictions? Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, 17 (2), 90-100.

Abstract

This research focussed on the importance of leprosy affected persons' self-reported changes in life situations as indicators of underlying change in participation status as defined by World Health Organisation's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The authors designed a one-question questionnaire to be used at the primary level to explore recent changes in participation status reported by people receiving treatment for leprosy and assessed its potential as a means to identify individuals experiencing participation restrictions. Primary level workers explored and reported change in the domains of physical status, psychological status, plus changes in relationships with family members, with friends or with community and changes in the ability to work.

Five centres in India participated in the study, collecting data on 197 individuals affected by leprosy. Using the Participation Scale, the authors made baseline and follow-up assessments and recorded self-reported changes at the time of follow-up. Regression analysis demonstrated that self-reported changes in physical and psychological state were predictive of changes in scores on the Participation Scale. So too, were reported changes in the ability to work. Discussion focuses on the potential for a simple screening procedure that would draw attention to individuals experiencing participation restrictions, who may be in need of counselling or rehabilitation interventions.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics