Center Wraps Up WHO Disability Assessment Schedule

The second of SDRC’s series of studies on Typhoon Yolanda and its effects on local communities is nearing completion. The “World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) in Yolanda-Affected Areas in the Philippines” is led by SDRC Director Dr. Maria Caridad Tarroja with team members Jerome Zayas, Rolando Talampas, Crisanto Regadio, Jr., Rowena Llose, and Mona Pindog. It establishes the percentage of the population that is functioning poorly and is likely to be in need of services, including those with severe or extreme difficulties in functioning in different aspects of day-to-day life. The survey also identifies correlates of good and poor functioning, provides information on changes over the year of recovery, and highlights the subject areas in which people do better and worse. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) version of the survey tool was used.

The baseline survey was carried out with the agreement and participation of the Department of Health Regional Director of Region VIII. Being the most typhoon-affected area, Region VIII has a total population of 4.5 million people, of which close to half live in typhoon-affected municipalities.

Participants of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) Training Workshop conducted at Bethel International School, Pawing, Palo, Leyte. May 15-19, 2014. Local enumerators and team leaders, WHO  Dr. Nevio Zagaria, Dr. Matilde Leonardi, Giorgia Paiella, SDRC  Rowena Llose, Mona Pindog, Jerome Zayas.