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“Serious” Mental Retardation in Developing Countries: An Epidemiologic Approach
Author(s) -
STEIN ZENA,
DURKIN MAUREEN,
BELMONT LILLIAN
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1986.tb40316.x
Subject(s) - columbia university , library science , center (category theory) , research center , annals , gerontology , state (computer science) , clinical neuropsychology , political science , medicine , media studies , sociology , psychiatry , history , classics , law , computer science , chemistry , algorithm , crystallography
In this paper we first present methods and preliminary results of pilot surveys of "serious" mental retardation (IQ less than or equal to 55); the surveys included screening and diagnostic components and were carried out in the less-developed world. Next we discuss two problems raised by these surveys: one is the diagnosis of a case and its clinical dimensions, and the other is the interpretation of prevalence. In the next section we illustrate epidemiological approaches to the analysis of such data, in particular their relevance to prevention. Lastly, we propose that the two-stage survey approach developed in the course of the pilot work can provide a valuable basis for planning and prevention, if certain key conditions can be met.