PILOTING A TOOL FOR DEPENDENCE ASSESSMENT IN PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Abstract:
Introduction: 3.2% of the Romanian population is registered as having various forms of disability. There are different types and degrees of disability, but provision of needed social services to these persons has wide variation due to the difficulty to assess their degree of dependence. Aim: Our study aimed to pre-test a new tool for assessment of dependence in persons with disabilities, in order to ensure equity in their access to the necessary social services. Methods: We developed a new tool for the assessment of dependence in persons with disabilities, based on five domains of activity, each having four to six sub-domains. Each sub-domain was scored as a Likert scale. We pre-tested the new tool in 20 persons with disabilities and in 10 persons without disabilities, assessing its reliability, internal consistency and validity. Results and discussion: At least moderate agreement was found for all the subdomains (Cohen’s Kappa>0.500) and at least substantial agreement (k>0.600) for all the domains in Group with disabilities and almost perfect agreement (k>0.800) was found for all domains and subdomains in the group of people without disabilities. Mean scores of disability by domain and sub-domain were significantly lower in the group without disability, compared to the group with disabilities (T student test, p<0.05). Strong or moderate inter-item correlations were found between most of the items. The Cronbach’s Alpha reached to 0.798 (normal) and 0.915 (standardized), proving a good internal consistency. A strong, positive and significant Spearman correlation (r=0.808, p<0.001) was found between the degree of dependence and the degree of disability. Conclusion: Our tool could be a valid instrument in assessing the dependency of the people with disabilities, but further research is necessary on a wider population.
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