[Prevalence of disability in 2 different social groups in Salvador, Brazil]

To assess the prevalence of physical and/or mental disability in Salvador, Bahia, 485 favela (shantytown) dwellers and 753 non-favela dwellers, age 7 and older, were studied in October 1985. Some 77.3% of the favela dwellers were either illiterate or had incomplete primary schooling, while 77.2% of the non-favela dwellers had completed high school or college. The total prevalence of disability, adjusted by age, was 8% for favela dwellers and 2.5% for non-favela dwellers. The prevalence of physical disability was 6.2% among favela dwellers and 1.9% among non-favela dwellers; mental disability occurred among 1.8% of favela dwellers and 0.7% of non-favela dwellers. Prevalence of disability in the favela group was higher among men than women (ratio of 4.4); there was no difference between sexes in the group of non-favela dwellers (ratio of 1.1). Locomotor impairment was the most prevalent, followed by mental and sensory disabilities. The authors discussed the need for more detailed studies on disability, including aspects related to availability of and access to medical care and rehabilitation.