Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Intellectual disability (ID) is a global public health concern. Although developed countries have well-established systems for identifying persons with ID and providing services, this is not the case in many low and middle income (LAMI) countries, including India. In order to help the Indian government to plan for health care, education, employment and welfare service needs, a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the prevalence of ID in children ages 3-18 years was carried out in District Barwani, state of Madhya Pradesh, India, representing both a tribal and non-tribal population. Community-based rehabilitation workers administered a standard screening checklist. The Developmental Screening Test and Vineland Social Maturity Scale were administered to identified cases to determine their level of ID. The prevalence rate (percent) of ID was 5.67 (95% CI: 4.24, 7.10) in tribal populations and 3.11 (95% CI: 2.03, 4.19) among non-tribal groups. Prevalence rates of ID were higher in younger age-groups (3-6 years, 1.42/1000) than in older children (15-18 years, 0.54/1000). The prevalence of ID was 83% higher in the tribal population than in the non-tribal groups (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.42, 2.32) but did not differ by gender (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.826, 1.344).

Keywords: Intellectual disability, prevalence, community-based rehabilitation, India