Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM

Mental disability shows a much more complex structure. However, the two forms that do appear clearly inhigh proportions are psychological disability and learning disability.These findings are based on the 2.7% of the population detected through the screening questionnaire andwho have serious difficulties in everyday functioning. The underestimation of mental forms of disability is aproblem encountered in a number of surveys in the field.Figure 6: Sex-Ratio by Types of Disability8070605040302010• Females• Males0PhysicalDisabilitySensorialDisabilityMentalDisabilityAssociatedDisabilityEpilepsy/SeizuresNon-DisabledThe typology according to gender shows that whereas the majority of males with disability fall into thephysical and sensorial categories, the highest proportion of females have seizures or epileptic fits that aredisabling. For mental and associated disability there are also significant differences between the two sexes. Itis only for epilepsy/seizures that the proportion of females is significantly higher than that of males.Figure 7: Typology According to Age4035302520151050• Physical Disability • Sensorial Disability • Mental Disability• Associated Disability • Epilepsy/Seizures • Non-Disabled1 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 50 to 59 60 and aboveAt various ages, physical disability is very much present, considering that a majority of associated disabilitiesinclude physical forms.Sensorial disability is highly prevalent among children and youngsters. This is also true for persons over theage of 60.There is a high proportion of associated disability (more than one type) among people aged 10 to 19.As for adults between 20 and 29, the level of physical disability and associated disability is almost equivalent,while the level of epilepsy and seizures is the highest.Sensorial disabilities are prevalent at the earlier stages of life (before age 9) and then appear again withincreasing age (especially after 60). This is closely linked to the main causes of sensorial disability, at birth orthrough accident in early stages, or loss of faculties due to age.12 Understanding the Challenge Ahead