[EQ] Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries

Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries:
Results from the World Health Survey

Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor1, Nicole Bergen1, Shanthi Mendis2, Sam Harper 3, Emese Verdes1, Anton Kunst4, Somnath Chatterji1

1 Department of Health Statistics and Informatics, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

2 Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

3 Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

4 Department of Public Health, AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

BMC Public Health – 22 June 2012, 12:474 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-474

Available online PDF [26p.] at: http://bit.ly/LGmhwJ

“……Noncommunicable diseases are an increasing health concern worldwide, but particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study quantified and compared education- and wealth-based inequalities in the prevalence of five noncommunicable diseases (angina, arthritis, asthma, depression and diabetes) and comorbidity in low- and middle-income country groups.

Methods

Using 2002-04 World Health Survey data from 41 low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence estimates of angina, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes and comorbidity in adults aged 18 years or above are presented for wealth quintiles and five education levels, by sex and country income group. Symptom-based classification was used to determine angina, arthritis, asthma and depression rates, and diabetes diagnoses were self-reported. Socioeconomic inequalities according to wealth and education were measured absolutely, using the slope index of inequality, and relatively, using the relative index of inequality.

Results

Wealth and education inequalities were more pronounced in the low-income country group than the middle-income country group. Both wealth and education were inversely associated with angina, arthritis, asthma, depression and comorbidity prevalence, with strongest inequalities reported for angina, asthma and comorbidity. Diabetes prevalence was positively associated with wealth and, to a lesser extent, education. Adjustments for confounding variables tended to decrease the magnitude of the inequality. ….”

KMC/2012/HSD
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho

 *      *     *
This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]
Washington DC USA

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAHO/WHO Website
Equity List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/eqpaho

IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended
recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or
confidential information. If you are not the intended
recipient or a person responsible for delivering this
transmission to the intended recipient, you may not
disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take
any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission
in error, please dispose of and delete this transmission.

Thank you.