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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 3/2019

Open Access 01-04-2019 | Original Article

Educational inequalities in Global Activity Limitation Indicator disability in 28 European Countries: Does the choice of survey matter?

Authors: Jose R. Rubio-Valverde, Wilma J. Nusselder, Johan P. Mackenbach

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the sensitivity of prevalence and inequality estimates of Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) to the choice of survey in European countries.

Methods

We use logistic regression to estimate adjusted risk ratios, quantifying differences in prevalence and educational inequalities, the impact of survey characteristics and Kendall’s tau to assess similarity in country rankings between surveys. We include the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), European Social Survey (ESS) and European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC).

Results

EHIS estimates higher prevalence than EU-SILC 17% (men) and 23% (women), and ESS 24% (men) and 29% (women). Prevalence does not differ significantly between EU-SILC and ESS. EU-SILC estimates 52.5% (men) and 28.1% (women) higher inequalities than EHIS and 63.2% (men) and 32.7% (women) higher inequalities than ESS. Survey characteristics do not account for differences in prevalence or inequalities. Country rankings do not agree for prevalence or inequalities.

Conclusions

Survey choice strongly impacts estimates of GALI prevalence and educational inequalities. Further study is necessary to understand these discrepancies. Caution is required when using these surveys for cross-country comparisons of (educational inequalities in) GALI disability.
Appendix
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Literature
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Metadata
Title
Educational inequalities in Global Activity Limitation Indicator disability in 28 European Countries: Does the choice of survey matter?
Authors
Jose R. Rubio-Valverde
Wilma J. Nusselder
Johan P. Mackenbach
Publication date
01-04-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-018-1174-7

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