Economic Inequality in Life Satisfaction and Self‑perceived Health in Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN IV Study

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210520190601Economic Inequality in Life Satisfaction and Self‑perceived Health in Iranian Children and Adolescents: The CASPIAN IV Study20582058ENChronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranChronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranNon‑communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, KarajChronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazDepartment of Public Health, Master Candidate in Public Health, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, BostonDevelopment of Research and Technology Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, TehranDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Medical Emergencies, Qom University of Medical Sciences, QomChronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranNon‑communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj & Department of Epidemiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranChild Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‑communicable Diseases, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20190601Background: The purpose of this study was to assess socioeconomic status (SES) inequality in life satisfaction (LS) and good self‑perceived health (SPH) in Iranian children and adolescents. Methods: This nationwide study was conducted as part of a fourth national school‑based surveillance program performed on 14880 students aged 6–18 years who were living in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran between 2011 and 2012. Using principle component analysis, the SES of participants was constructed as single variable. SES inequality in LS and good SPH across the SES quintiles was assessed using the concentration index (C) and slope index of inequality (SII). The determinants of this inequality are investigated by the Oaxaca Blinder decomposition method. Results: Frequency of LS along with the SES quintiles shifted signifcantly from 73.28% (95% CI: 71.49, 75.08) in the lowest quintile to 86.57% (95% CI:85.20, 87.93) in the highest SES quintile. Frequency of favorable SPH linearly increased from lowest SES quintile (76.18% (95% CI: 74.45, 77.92)) to highest SES quintile (83.39% (95% CI: 81.89, 84.89)). C index for LS and good SPH was negative, which suggests inequality was in favor of high SES group. SII for LS and SPH was 15.73 (95% CI: 12.10, 19.35) and 8.21 (95% CI: 5.46, 10.96)]. Living area and passive smoking were the most contributed factors in SES inequality of LS. Also passive smoking and physical activity were the most contributed factors in SES inequality of SPH. Conclusions: SES inequality in LS and good SPH was in favor of high SES group. These fndings are useful for health policies, better programming and future complementary analyses. Keywords: Inequality, life satisfaction, self‑perceived healthhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2058http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2058/717717876