[01] Taryam M. M. O., Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [02] Al Faisal W., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [03] Hussein H. Y., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [04] Suliman E. A., Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [05] Al Janahi T., Dubai Statistics Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [06] AlSalaq A. A., Dubai Statistics Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [07] Wasfy A. S., Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Background: Disability was seen solely as the result of an individual’s inability to function. Interventions usually included medical rehabilitation and the provision of social assistance. Measuring severity of disability is not a straightforward task. Objectives: Measuring disability severity levels across groups in Dubai and identifying socio-demographic characteristics of disability in Dubai. Methodology: Dubai Household Health Survey was conducted in 2014 as a Cross-sectional, multistage, stratified, Cluster survey. Houses were visited to obtain detailed information on the different health-related issues. According to Dubai Statistical center, the total population of Dubai at the end of 2014 was 2327350 (males 1613175, females 714175) (UAE 212000, Expatriates 2115350). Individuals aged ≥18 years were investigated for the level of disability. The disability questions of the questionnaire were asked to 3716 persons. Data were entered to the computer using Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The study showed that the percentage of those who have moderate to severe disability among Dubai population is 8.5%. It showed also that about 14% of the total male and female Emirati are having moderate to severe disability, while about 8% of the total male and female non-Emirati are having moderate to severe disability. The study showed that about 13.8% of Emirati (males) are having moderate to severe disability, while 6.9% of non-Emirati (males) are having moderate to severe disability. The study showed that about 14% of Emirati (females) are having moderate to severe disability, while 12.8% of non-Emirati (females) are having moderate to severe disability. The study revealed that 7.9% of group age 18-59 are having moderate to severe disability while 27.2 of aged more than 60 years showed moderate to severe disability. Conclusions: Disability is frequent and common health disorder among Dubai population, and more than 8.5% of the total population have somehow moderate to severe type of disability. National rehabilitation program needs to be developed in order to address disability needs and problems through national framework and multidisciplinary national taskforce.

Disability, Severity, Population Based, Household Survey Dubai

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