COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown: Effects on persons with disabilities in India

• Main Authors: Rajendra Prasad, Anandita Lidhoo, Tarun Lala, Prateek Sharma, Anjali Lodwal, Manish Jaiswal, Shagufta Nayar, Charu Khatri, Surbhi Vyas, Umaid Singh Deora, Shikha Vaswani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Apollo Medicine
• Subjects: activities of daily living; coronavirus; covid-19; persons with disabilities
• Online Access: http://www.apollomedicine.org/article.asp?issn=0976-0016;year=2020;volume=17;issue=5;spage=44;epage=49;aulast=Prasad
• ISSN: 0976-0016; 2213-3682

Introduction: To study the impact the COVID-19-related lockdown on persons with disabilities (PWDs), we conducted a telephonic survey of (n = 120) participants in four major cities of India (Delhi, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, and Patna). The survey was conducted twice-once in Phase 2 (April 15, 2020–May 3, 2020) and again in Phase 5 (June 1, 2020–June 30, 2020) of the lockdown. Methods: A questionnaire was prepared for this survey of PWDs to understand the following: participants' understanding of the prevention of COVID-19 handwashing technique, use of facemasks, social distancing and sanitization directives, their type of disability, and extent of dependence on caregivers, along with their financial situation and food and medicine availability. Results: From the PWDs surveyed, the main impact of the prolonged lockdown was on mental health, limited ability to work from home, lack of access to rehab professionals or rehabilitation units, and external caregivers, along with difficulty in repair of assistive technology devices. They relied largely on family for finances, activities of daily living, and food and medicine supply. On the positive side, most had access to information on COVID-19 and an understanding of the health and safety guidelines. Discussion: The authors recommend the development of an updated national database of PWDs and the elderly and to establish tele-medicine and tele-rehabilitation services for this group of people to ensure uninterrupted physiotherapy, mental health counseling, and treatment for their comorbid conditions. They advocate for an increase in government support to PWDs in these times and provision of medicines, masks, gloves, and sanitizing products at subsidized rates.