Study on Health Status of War Affected Disables In Jaffna District

Abstract

Main intention of the study is to identify the war affected disables Health status, physical disability condition catercarised by the cause and degree, identify the barriers of disables welfare & Health care services and to prepare a new demographic reality of present disables Health status. Study is based on factors influencing: i) Disability state ii) Socioeconomic condition iii) Lifestyle iv) Welfare & Health services. The study was conducted in 2013, among 821 war affected disables beneficiaries of Jaffna Jaipor Center for Disable Rehabilitation (JJCDR). Sample population (150) is selected by stratified random sampling method, Questionnaire is the primary data source of the study. By the study cause of disability is found by landmine 63%, shell & bomb23% and gunshot 11% Resulted loss of a lower limb in 143 persons, both lower limbs in a person, upper limb in 7 persons and upper and lower limbs Of a side in 3 persons, Further 79% Of population have Health problems like pressure ulcers (15%), hypertension(HT (13%), arthritis (12%), diabetes/DM (11%), other disease (8%), ischemic heart diseases/IHD (5%), respiratory disease (5%), and stroke (4%). The prevalence of arthritis and pressure ulcers is found at 27% resulted by complications of disability. Every respondent have varying degree of amputation of limb and using more than one kind of mobility aids to suit their nature and needs. Identified barriers of Welfare & Health services of disables are i) Lack access to Welfare & Health services as Urban centered (23%), ii) Physical barriers of hospital building design (steps and entrance) (17%) iii) High cost of living due to using mobility aids iv) Lack of suitable v) Lack of communication and information about Welfare & Health services(11%) vi) Lack of le living arrangements and appropriate housing (12%) vii) Discrimination in many forms at home and society. Most of the findings have similar features of previous studies of Disability Rehabilitation Council Australia (DRCA report — 2008)