Using the ICF to develop the capability-oriented database of persons with disabilities: a case study in Nakornpanom province, Thailand

Purpose: This study aims to determine functioning information, rehabilitation needs, and environmental barriers of persons with disabilities (PWDs) using a developed ICF-based questionnaire with community survey approach in Thailand. Method: A systematic review of the use of ICF and disability surveys from January 2000-June 2010 was undertaken. A questionnaire was then developed and tested in two pilot studies before using in a face-to-face interview conducted with legally registered PWDs in Nakornpanom province. Forty-six ICF codes were used in the questionnaire; two second-level codes in body functions, 18 second-level and six third-level codes in activities & participation and 14 second-level and six third-level codes in environmental factors. Each code had 2-6 qualifiers. Results: One thousand and seven PWDs (56.6% male, mean age = 48.4 +/- 0.64 years) were interviewed by 16 trained-interviewers. Interview duration was approximately 17 min. The functioning profile could be revealed for both individual and population. These reflected the need for rehabilitation. Several cutoff points to identify disabled persons were offered. Regarding participation, PWDs were concerned more about environmental barriers. One-fourth of PWDs needed home environment adaptation, almost 13% were uneducated and 23% had limited chance to participate in social activities. Conclusions: ICF framework and codes can be used to develop a questionnaire to measure population functioning profile and rehabilitation needs of PWDs by community survey. Results can be used to develop a capability-oriented disability database to identify prevalence of disabilities and rehabilitation needs. Policy makers may use this database to plan, monitor and evaluate rehabilitation service programs and removal of environmental barriers.