Perceived health care discrimination among middle-aged and older adults in India: Results of a national survey in 2017-2018

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of perceived health care discrimination in middle-aged and older adults in a national population survey in India. The sample included 72,262 middle-aged and older adults from a cross-sectional national community-dwelling survey in India in 2017-2018. Results indicate that the prevalence of perceived health care discrimination was 5.9%. Among participants with health care discrimination, the major perceived reasons of health care discrimination included age (51.4%), followed by financial status (48.2%), caste (16.0%), and gender (10.7%). In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex, food insecurity and utilization of traditional or complementary medicine practitioner were positively associated with health care discrimination, while higher education, higher subjective socioeconomic status, receipt of health insurance, Christian, Sikh and other religion were negatively associated with health care discrimination. In addition, in unadjusted analysis, scheduled tribes, other backward classes and rural residence were associated with health care discrimination. A significant proportion (5.9%) of middle-aged and older adults in India experienced health care discrimination, and several associated factors were identified that may be targeted to reduce health care discrimination.