Inequalities in common mental disorders between advantaged and disadvantaged groups: an Oaxaca – Blinder decomposition analysis on socio-economic factors

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the socio-economic factors of inequalities in common mental disorders (MDs) between advantaged and disadvantaged groups and also to determine the main contributors of inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016–2017. The authors included 763 persons by stratified cluster sampling; clusters were cities, geographical area and households. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique was used to estimate of main inequalities determinant between advantaged and disadvantaged groups.

Findings

Overall prevalence of MDs was 22.6 and 35.6% in the advantage and disadvantaged groups, respectively. The concentration index was −0.013 [95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): −0.022, −0.004]; therefore, MDs were more concentrated in the deprived group. The risk of MDs in deprived group and females was 81 and 60% higher than advantaged group (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.57) and males (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.24), respectively. Educational status [−0.06 (95% CI: −0.10, −0.01)] was the highest level of contribution in inequality in gaps between groups.

Originality/value

The socio-demographic inequality in MDs among adult population was more explained by lower educational level, married persons and unemployment variables.

Citation

Veisani, Y., Rezaeian, S., Mohamadian, F. and Delpisheh, A. (2020), "Inequalities in common mental disorders between advantaged and disadvantaged groups: an Oaxaca – Blinder decomposition analysis on socio-economic factors", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 325-332. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-12-2019-0089