[Status of elderly disability in 7 cities of China]

Objective: This study focused on the proportions of disability in old people of China (rural and urban) and the demographic characteristics of disability. Methods: Random sampling was used that including stratified, multiple-stage, and cluster sampling methods. This research project was conducted in 7 municipalities (north, south) of China, including 6 864 urban and rural people aged 60 and above. Interviewers used unified questionnaire and performed door to door. Basic and related information on disability of the community elderly were gathered. χ² test was used to compare the differences of rates on the extent of disability among different groups of elderly. Results: Health condition and disability assessment on 6 864 urban and rural elderly living in the communities were analyzed. The overall mean rate of disability in the elderly was 7.0%, with the proportion of disability in women (7.9%) significantly higher than in men (6.0%) (P<0.01). Proportions of disability in rural areas (10.9%) were significantly higher than those in urban areas (4.7%) (P<0.01). Region wise, it was also seen higher in the north (7.6%) than in the south (5.4%) (P<0.01) parts of the country. The rates of disability in cities as Beijing, Chongqing, Haerbin, Chengdu, Xi'an, Changsha, Shanghai were 5.7%, 5.3%, 4.5%, 3.9%, 3.0%, 2.3%, 1.2% (P<0.01) respectively with Beijing being the highest and Shanghai being the lowest, all with statistical significances. Mean disability rates in the age groups of 60-, 65-, 70-, 75- and ≥80 were 2.5%, 4.0%, 5.3%, 9.9% and 25.1% (P<0.01) respectively, with the rising rates of disability parallel to the increase of age. Conclusion: In China, the overall rate of disability in the elderly (urban and rural community) was 7.0%. The rates of disability were significantly higher in women than in men, in rural than in urban areas and higher in the north than in the south parts of the country. The rates of disability were increasing along with age of the elderly.