Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment (CoI) is a significant risk factor for ill-health status among the older adults and a major burden on public health. This study unearths the degree of socioeconomic inequalities and assesses the determinants of CoI among the older adults in India. Methods Dat...

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Main Authors: Madhurima Sharma, Manas Ranjan Pradhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-01-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03604-4
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author Madhurima Sharma
Manas Ranjan Pradhan
author_facet Madhurima Sharma
Manas Ranjan Pradhan
author_sort Madhurima Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Cognitive impairment (CoI) is a significant risk factor for ill-health status among the older adults and a major burden on public health. This study unearths the degree of socioeconomic inequalities and assesses the determinants of CoI among the older adults in India. Methods Data on cognitive impairment of older adults aged 60 + years (n = 31,646) gathered in a nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017–18) was analyzed through STATA with a significance level of 5%. Binary logistic regression, the concentration index, concentration curve, and Shapley decomposition analysis were performed to assess the socioeconomic inequalities and the determinants of CoI. Results Sixteen percent of the older adults had CoI. Females (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.70–2.09), those aged 80 plus years (OR = 3.98, 95%CI = 3.56–4.44), from ST (OR = 2.65, 95%CI = 2.32–3.02), with perceived poor health (OR = 1.61,95%CI = 1.45–1.79), with depression (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.21–1.43), with no schooling (OR = 16.46, 95%CI = 11.31–23.97) with 1 + ADL (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.31–1.57) and 1 + IADL (OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.19–1.41) had higher odds of CoI than their respective counterparts. Older adults from urban areas (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.57–0.70), higher income groups (OR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.53- 0.70) and higher education level with sources of financial support (OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.61- 0.76) less likely to experience CoI. Economic inequalities exist in the distribution of CoI-the poorest being the most disadvantaged (concentration index value = -0.118). Conclusions There are socioeconomic-related inequalities in CoI among the older adults. The socioeconomically vulnerable older adults, including those illiterates, with poor economic status, women, not-in-union, the older, and those without social support, are more likely to develop CoI. The results suggest awareness generation and more customized policies and programs to reduce the socioeconomic inequalities in CoI among the older adults in India. The improved mental health of the older adults will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 on guaranteeing good health and well-being for all.
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spelling doaj.art-fd1dfa2e49f2494f92cabcbc05526eff2023-01-08T12:20:18ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182023-01-0123111010.1186/s12877-022-03604-4Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysisMadhurima Sharma0Manas Ranjan Pradhan1International Institute for Population SciencesDepartment of Fertility and Social Demography, International Institute for Population SciencesAbstract Background Cognitive impairment (CoI) is a significant risk factor for ill-health status among the older adults and a major burden on public health. This study unearths the degree of socioeconomic inequalities and assesses the determinants of CoI among the older adults in India. Methods Data on cognitive impairment of older adults aged 60 + years (n = 31,646) gathered in a nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017–18) was analyzed through STATA with a significance level of 5%. Binary logistic regression, the concentration index, concentration curve, and Shapley decomposition analysis were performed to assess the socioeconomic inequalities and the determinants of CoI. Results Sixteen percent of the older adults had CoI. Females (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.70–2.09), those aged 80 plus years (OR = 3.98, 95%CI = 3.56–4.44), from ST (OR = 2.65, 95%CI = 2.32–3.02), with perceived poor health (OR = 1.61,95%CI = 1.45–1.79), with depression (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.21–1.43), with no schooling (OR = 16.46, 95%CI = 11.31–23.97) with 1 + ADL (OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.31–1.57) and 1 + IADL (OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.19–1.41) had higher odds of CoI than their respective counterparts. Older adults from urban areas (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.57–0.70), higher income groups (OR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.53- 0.70) and higher education level with sources of financial support (OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.61- 0.76) less likely to experience CoI. Economic inequalities exist in the distribution of CoI-the poorest being the most disadvantaged (concentration index value = -0.118). Conclusions There are socioeconomic-related inequalities in CoI among the older adults. The socioeconomically vulnerable older adults, including those illiterates, with poor economic status, women, not-in-union, the older, and those without social support, are more likely to develop CoI. The results suggest awareness generation and more customized policies and programs to reduce the socioeconomic inequalities in CoI among the older adults in India. The improved mental health of the older adults will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 on guaranteeing good health and well-being for all.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03604-4Older adultsCognitive impairmentConcentration indexDecomposition analysisIndia
spellingShingle Madhurima Sharma
Manas Ranjan Pradhan
Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
BMC Geriatrics
Older adults
Cognitive impairment
Concentration index
Decomposition analysis
India
title Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
title_full Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
title_fullStr Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
title_full_unstemmed Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
title_short Socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among India’s older adults and its determinants: a decomposition analysis
title_sort socioeconomic inequality in cognitive impairment among india s older adults and its determinants a decomposition analysis
topic Older adults
Cognitive impairment
Concentration index
Decomposition analysis
India
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03604-4
work_keys_str_mv AT madhurimasharma socioeconomicinequalityincognitiveimpairmentamongindiasolderadultsanditsdeterminantsadecompositionanalysis
AT manasranjanpradhan socioeconomicinequalityincognitiveimpairmentamongindiasolderadultsanditsdeterminantsadecompositionanalysis