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ABSTRACT
Background: Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience poorer overall health than the wider population. Identification of personal, support service and lifestyle factors affecting health status will provide opportunities to improve health outcomes.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of adults with ID. Interviews were conducted between January and July 2013. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using self- or proxy-reported general health as the dependent variable.
Results: “Not good” health was independently associated with increasing age, financial hardship, smoking, and living in a home of their own. Physical exercise was inversely associated with not good health.
Conclusions: Subjective health may be improved by attention to the factors identified in this study. This could include closer monitoring of the health of people with ID as they age and if they live in a home of their own. Similarly, targeted programs promoting physical activity and smoking reduction could improve general health for adults with ID.
Acknowledgements
The investigators thank representatives from Developmental Disabilities WA, National Disability Services WA, the Mental Health Commission WA, People with Disability WA, and the Disability Services Commission WA for acting on the expert reference group for this study. Assistance and advice on the development of the interview schedule was received from local, national and international experts.
Thank you to the adults with intellectual disability, their families, and advocates who gave of their time and knowledge to support this project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.