Prevalence and Associated Factor of Walking Disability Among Adults: Finding from National Health & Morbidity Survey 2015 (NHMS 2015)

Introduction: Prevalence and associated factors of walking disabilities among adult should be understood in order to mitigate other leading health effects. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence and associated factors of walking disability among adults aged 18 and above. Method: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) is a cross-sectional survey (two-stage stratified sample) designed to collect health information on a nationally representative sample of the Malaysian adult’s population. Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaire based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG). Data obtained were analysed using SPSS 20. Result: Prevalence of Malaysian adult having at least some difficulty in walking is 11.3% (95% CI: 10.65, 12.00). In general, five socio demographic variables: Rural, Female, Elderly age 61 and above, Widower and Have no formal education were statistically significant in having at least some difficulty in walking varying from 13.9% to 41.6% of significant level. Based on logistic regression, elderly age 61 and above [AOR=13.60; 95%CI: (10.12,18.28)], Female [AOR = 1.27; 95%-CI = (1.12, 1.43)], Have no formal education [AOR = 1.82 ; 95%-CI = (1.42,2.34)], Having diabetes mellitus [AOR = 1.51 ; 95%-CI = (1.33,1.70)] and Having hypertension [AOR = 1.33; 95%-CI = (1.18,1.51)] were more odd to have walking disabilities. Conclusion: Findings show co-morbidities could be one of the contributors to disability in walking besides aging. Understanding cause and effects of disability among adult would help in improvement of effective prevention of disabilities in Malaysian Adult.