Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Thu, Nov 21, 2024
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Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Med J Islam Repub Iran 2024 |
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Soltani S, Arvan K, Karami Matin B, Ghoddoosinejad J, Moradi F, Salehiniya H. People with Disabilities and Financial Challenges in Access to Rehabilitation Services: Evidence of Socioeconomic Inequality in Iran. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2024; 38 (1) :202-209
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8748-en.html
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8748-en.html
Shahin Soltani 
, Kamran Arvan , Behzad Karami Matin , Javad Ghoddoosinejad , Fardin Moradi , Hamid Salehiniya
, Kamran Arvan , Behzad Karami Matin , Javad Ghoddoosinejad , Fardin Moradi , Hamid Salehiniya
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , alesaleh70@yahoo.com
Abstract: (686 Views)
Background: People with disabilities (PWD) typically face a range of obstacles when accessing healthcare, particularly when compared with the general population. This challenge becomes more pronounced for PWDs in lower socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic-related disparity in financial access to rehabilitation services among Iranian PWDS.
Methods: A total of 766 Iranian PWDs aged ≥18 years participated in this cross-sectional study. We employed the concentration index (C) to estimate socioeconomic inequality in accessing rehabilitation services.
Results: In this study, 766 Iranian adults aged 18 to 70 took part, with a mean age of 36.50 (SD, ±10.02) years. The findings revealed that 72.15% (n = 469) of participants had to borrow money to cover the costs of rehabilitation services. The concentration index (C = -0.228, P = 0.004) demonstrated a notable concentration of inadequate financial access to rehabilitation services among individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Decomposition analysis identified the wealth index as the primary contributor to the observed socioeconomic disparities, accounting for 309.48%.
Conclusion: Our findings show that socioeconomic inequalities disproportionately impact PWDs in lower socioeconomic groups. It is recommended that efforts be made to enhance the national capacity for monitoring the financial protection of PWDs and to develop equitable mechanisms that promote prepayment and risk pooling, thus reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments at the time of service utilization.
Methods: A total of 766 Iranian PWDs aged ≥18 years participated in this cross-sectional study. We employed the concentration index (C) to estimate socioeconomic inequality in accessing rehabilitation services.
Results: In this study, 766 Iranian adults aged 18 to 70 took part, with a mean age of 36.50 (SD, ±10.02) years. The findings revealed that 72.15% (n = 469) of participants had to borrow money to cover the costs of rehabilitation services. The concentration index (C = -0.228, P = 0.004) demonstrated a notable concentration of inadequate financial access to rehabilitation services among individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Decomposition analysis identified the wealth index as the primary contributor to the observed socioeconomic disparities, accounting for 309.48%.
Conclusion: Our findings show that socioeconomic inequalities disproportionately impact PWDs in lower socioeconomic groups. It is recommended that efforts be made to enhance the national capacity for monitoring the financial protection of PWDs and to develop equitable mechanisms that promote prepayment and risk pooling, thus reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments at the time of service utilization.
Keywords: Inequality, Socioeconomic Factors, Concentration Index, Rehabilitation, Access to Health Care, Iran
Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Health Management and Economics
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