Preliminary report from the Irish Intellectual Disability Database

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The Republic of Ireland's Department of Health initiated a national mental handicap database in 1995.
• The database aims to provide accurate data for planning services for individuals with mental handicap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present preliminary prevalence data from the newly established national mental handicap database.
• To analyze the prevalence of mental handicap by age, sex, degree of handicap, and geographical region.
• To compare current findings with historical census data from 1974 and 1981.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a computerized national mental handicap database.
• Analysis of preliminary prevalence data stratified by demographic and regional factors.
• Comparative analysis with previous national census data on mental handicap.

Main Results:

• Initial estimates suggest 27,193 individuals are currently receiving or require mental handicap services.
• Preliminary prevalence data were analyzed across various demographic and geographical strata.
• Significant demographic and regional variations in service needs are indicated.

Conclusions:

• The national mental handicap database provides crucial insights into service needs.
• Findings highlight the importance of demographic and geographical factors in service provision planning.
• The data will inform future strategies for mental handicap service development in Ireland.