Prevalence of Locomotor Disability amongst the physically challenged population of Ahmednagar District - A Retrospective study

Background: Locomotor Disability is one of the major public health problems in the developing countries. Eighty percent of the physically challenged population reside in rural areas. As per our knowledge, the study of literature about the prevalence of locomotor disability among the rural population does not provide sufficient evidence. Therefore, this study was carried out in the rural population of Ahmednagar as it will be a useful contribution in proper health care planning for the people with locomotor disability. Method: It was a retrospective study carried out in the population of Ahmednagar with a convenient sampling method. Inclusion Criteria for the study was, either Gender & the physically challenged people who were assessed during the ‘Assistance to Disabled Persons’ camp, conducted in the year 2022. The total prevalence of Locomotor Disability in Ahmednagar District was 448 out of total 925 physically challenged population (48.4%). Prevalence of Males affected (74.3%) is more as compared to the females (25.7%). Various causes of locomotor disability were Post-Polio Residual Palsy (48%), Amputation (15%), Stroke (14%), Cerebral Palsy (10%) and Trauma (3%) etc. Conclusion: It was observed that the prevalence of Locomotor Disability is more than that of the other disabilities in the physically challenged population of Ahmednagar. Amongst them post-polio residual palsy was the most common cause of Locomotor Disability.