Healthcare access among people with and without disabilities: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Socioeconomic Survey of Chile

Abstract

Objectives

There is a lack of data on health inequities experienced by people with disabilities in Chile. Hence, this study aimed to compare healthcare utilization, coverage, and barriers to accessing health services among people with and without disabilities in Chile.

Study design

Secondary cross-sectional study.

Methods

We analysed data of the 2022 National Socioeconomic Survey of Chile. People with disabilities were identified based on the Washington Group Questions. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to compare the indicators of utilization, coverage, and barriers to accessing healthcare between people with versus without disabilities. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were reported with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI).

Results

A total of 192,666 participants were included in the study; persons with disabilities represented 10 % of the sample (n = 21,769). People with disabilities were more likely to have had a health problem (aOR, 2·22; 95 % CI, 2·12-2·32) and more frequently used any type of health consultation, than those without disabilities. The coverage of adult health check-ups (aOR, 0·88; 95 % CI, 0·81-0·96) and Pap tests among women (aOR, 0·76; 95 % CI, 0·70-0·82), were lower among those with disabilities. Reports of experiencing any barrier to accessing healthcare were more common among people with disabilities.

Conclusions

People with disabilities in Chile continue to experience health inequities, both in terms of higher healthcare needs and lower coverage, and various barriers to accessing healthcare. Thus, a disability lens needs to be mainstreamed in the health system to leave no one behind.