Introduction:
Introduction. Neurological diseases are among the factors lowering self-care efficiency by causing difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living.

The objective of the study:
Analysis of health and socio-demographic factors influencing the self-sufficiency of patients in a neurological ward.

Material and Methods:
The survey was carried out in Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, on a group of 115 patients hospitalized in the neurological ward. Functional capacity was defined on the basis of self-care efficiency scale, and the effect of health-related and socio-demographic factors by using a questionnaire.

Results:
More than a half, i.e. 58% of patients, were fully efficient. Patients after stroke had a lower level of self-care efficiency than those admitted for other reasons. Diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive system, as well as motor organs and metabolic diseases have a considerable influence on the level of functional capacity, similar to most of the disorders in higher nervous activity. Functional capacity decreases with age. Patients who receive retirement benefits are characterised by a lower level of self-care efficiency than the respondents who maintain themselves on other sources. Along with declining housing conditions, the level of self-care efficiency decreases. People with lower education level are less efficient than those with secondary or university education.

Conclusions:
The respondents’ self-care efficiency depends on the cause of admittance to the hospital, co-morbidity, disorders of higher nervous activity, age, education, source of income and housing conditions. Persons with complete self-care efficiency constituted the largest group.