Staff and self-reports of health behaviours, somatic complaints, and medications among adults with mild intellectual disability

Surprisingly little research has examined self-reports of health among adults with intellectual disability (ID), despite the fact that adults with ID are at a higher risk for health problems than the general population. The present study compared self-reports of 77 adults with mild ID with reports from designated residential staff regarding health behaviours, somatic complaints, and medication usage. Adults with ID and the staff agreed about many health behaviours as well as major medical disorders, but the staff tended to report fewer minor symptoms of illness. Medication usage was common (85%), although not everyone could list their medications, explain their function or report when they took them. The results suggest the utility of both self-reports and staff reports among adults with mild ID for identifying areas of health concern as well as targeting areas for further health promotion efforts.