CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesCHAPTER 7Disability and Morbility7.1 IntroductionThis Chapter presents the main findings on the disability and morbidity status of the populationof St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2001. Also included are information on the type ofdisability and illnesses reported, and whether medical help was sought and the type of healthfacilities visited. Comparative data from the Ministry of Health are also included.7.2 Illness, Disability or InfirmityThe 2001 Census data revealed that 4 177 persons or 3.93 per cent of the population reported thatthey had suffered from a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity. The rate of reported illnessor disability increased as age increased, ranging from a low 1.52 per cent among children under15 years to a high 19.59 per cent among the elderly (65+ years).As expected, the rate of reported illness or disability among the elderly is the highest. Overall,there was very little difference between the percentage of females (4.24) and males (3.63) thatreported having an illness or disability. However, the difference was most pronounced amongelderly females (20.87 per cent) as compared to males (17.96 per cent).Further analysis by age group and sex indicates that there were more males than females amongchildren (0 -14 years), youths (15 to 24 years) and the 25 to 44 age group that reported that theyhad an illness or disability. The reverse was so among the 45 to 64 age group and the elderly,where more females than males reported that they had an illness or disability (Table 7.1).88