Quantitative evaluation of community based rehabilitation programme using the WHO guidelines in a rural area in Bangalore District, Karnataka, India.

Background: Community Based Rehabilitation was a concept which though thought of in early 80s was formalised as a guideline for any rehabilitation programme by the WHO in 2004 in collaboration with UNESCO AND ILO.
Purpose: To assess to quantitatively evaluate a community based rehabilitation programme in the target area in terms of the 5 components of CBR as per WHO guidelines in rural Bangalore district, Karnataka, India.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 13 villages covering a population of 10,000 in a rural area in Southern India. A pretested interview schedule on CBR was administered by a to the caregiver or the Persons with Disability (PWDs). The rehabilitation needs of the PWDs were quantified using scores for each CBR component. The maximum scores attainable were: Health-10, Education-12, Livelihood-10, Empowerment-18 and Social-16. After 5 years of implementation of the CBR programme, a midterm evaluation was carried with the same assessment forms and similar scoring pattern
Results: There were 78 PWDs assessed in 2006. 32(41%) were adults and 46(59%) were children with disability. They were assessed after 5 years in 2011 (Post CBR).It was seen that among adults there was significant difference (p<0.05) in scores of Health, Empowerment, Social and Overall Scores. Among children with disability there was significant positive difference in scores of Health and a significant negative difference in scores of Education, Livelihood, Empowerment and Overall.
Conclusion: Quantitative methods of evaluation of CBR programme can be used effectively to assess the achievements of a CBR programme.