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Disability and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in the Maldives

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Listed:
  • Lena Morgon Banks
  • Timothy O’Fallon
  • Shaffa Hameed
  • Sofoora Kawsar Usman
  • Sarah Polack
  • Hannah Kuper

Abstract

Objective: To assess access to general and disability-related health care among people with disabilities in the Maldives. Methods: This study uses data from a case-control study (n = 711) nested within a population-based, nationally representative survey to compare health status and access to general healthcare amongst people with and without disabilities. Cases and controls were matched by gender, location and age. Unmet need for disability-related healthcare is also assessed. Multivariate regression was used for comparisons between people with and without disabilities. Results: People with disabilities had poorer levels of health compared to people without disabilities, including poorer self-rated health, increased likelihood of having a chronic condition and of having had a serious health event in the previous 12 months. Although most people with and without disabilities sought care when needed, people with disabilities were much more likely to report difficulties when routinely accessing healthcare services compared to people without disabilities. Additionally, 24% of people with disabilities reported an unmet need for disability-related healthcare, which was highest amongst people with hearing, communication and cognitive difficulties, as well as amongst older adults and people living in the lowest income per capita quartile. Median healthcare spending in the past month was modest for people with and without disabilities. However, people with disabilities appear to have high episodic healthcare costs, such as for disability-related healthcare and when experiencing a serious health event. Conclusions: This study found evidence that people with disabilities experience unmet needs for both disability-related and general healthcare. There is therefore evidence that people with disabilities in the Maldives are falling behind in core components relevant to UHC: availability of all services needed, and quality and affordability of healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Lena Morgon Banks & Timothy O’Fallon & Shaffa Hameed & Sofoora Kawsar Usman & Sarah Polack & Hannah Kuper, 2022. "Disability and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in the Maldives," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0278292
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278292
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tess Bright & Hannah Kuper, 2018. "A Systematic Review of Access to General Healthcare Services for People with Disabilities in Low and Middle Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-29, August.
    2. Lena Morgon Banks & Hannah Kuper & Sarah Polack, 2017. "Poverty and disability in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(12), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Tess Bright & Sarah Wallace & Hannah Kuper, 2018. "A Systematic Review of Access to Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-34, October.
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