A Feasibility Assessment of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Tool for Locomotion in Rural Community of Northern India

Abstract

Abstract Background ICF is a valid tool to assess the degree and extent of disability, functioning, and health among patients. Its use in population to assess the disability is often limited. Aim To assess the feasibility of ICF tool in community settings among patients with any signs and symptoms of locomotion. Design Community based survey was carried out to assess the disability. Setting The studied individuals were assessed during house to house survey in a rural area of Himachal Pradesh, India. Any individual with any signs and symptoms of disability associated to locomotion was interviewed by the trained medical social worker at their home. Population Total 82 individuals were interviewed to study the degree and extent of disability related to locomotion. Methods An ICF tool version 2.1a as recommended by World Health Organisation was used for assessment. Results A total 82 people whom 58.5% were assessed using ICF tool and 40.0% of males and 50.0% of females observed with no problem of impairment for locomotion. Among those who reported, moderate level of impairment related to joints was observed among 32.4% females and 31.3 % males. Mild impairment for muscle power was present among 31.3% males and 29.4% of females. Assessment of extent of impairment observed that the lower limb was most commonly (about 40.0%) involved in both males and females. Both males and females were mostly observed with restricted performance for daily activities like using transportation, lifting/carrying of objects, walking and moving around using assisted equipment. About 47.9% and 31.3% of males responded that the design of building and technology for public use, as mild and moderate barrier respectively. Design of building for public use was observed as severe barrier among 38.2% of females. Conclusions Disability related to locomotor system involving lower extremities is most common form of disability. Mild to moderate level of impairment was observed among individuals with locomotor disability to carry out day to day activities. Rehabilitation impact ICF tool can be used to study the degree and extent of disability. A standard pattern of analysis and reporting the results would help to assess the effect of rehabilitative interventions in community settings.