National Burden of Disability in Bangladesh and its Socio-Demographic Correlates
Authors: Rahman Mizanur , Rana Md Shohel , Khandaker Gulam , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Khan Md Nuruzzaman 
Published: September 2023

Background

The burden of disability remains a global challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Bangladesh. Understanding the national-level burden of disability and its socio-demographic determinants is crucial for informed policy and program development. We aims to explore the national level burden of disability in Bangladesh and its socio-demographic correlates.

Methods

This study presents a cross-sectional analysis of 155,025 participants in the 2021 National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (NSPD). Disability status (yes, no) served as the outcome variable. The explanatory variables considered were factors at the individual, household, and community levels. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to explore the explanatory variables associated with the outcome variable, splitting the total sample into two age-based groups: 0-17 years and 18-95 years.

Results

Our findings reveal a disability prevalence of nearly 3% in Bangladesh. The prevalent forms of disability encompassed physical disability and visual impairment. Close to one in ten individuals with disabilities in Bangladesh reported experiencing more than one type of disability concurrently. The likelihoods of disability were observed to be higher among individuals with higher educational attainment, those belonging to households with elevated socio-economic status, those engaged in white-collar occupations, and those residing in the Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions. Additionally, a heightened likelihood of disability was observed among communities with moderate to higher illiteracy rates.

Conclusion

The implications of these findings extend extensively to policy formulation and the allocation of resources aimed at tackling the multifaceted challenges encountered by persons with disability.

Research in Context

Evidence before this study

Previous research has recognized the substantial burden of disability in Bangladesh, yet lacked comprehensive nationwide assessments of its prevalence and socio-demographic factors. Existing studies often focused on localized contexts, leaving a gap in understanding the broader landscape of disability within the country.

Added value of this study

This study substantially contributes to the understanding of disability in Bangladesh by conducting a comprehensive national-level analysis. Using representative samples and rigorous methodology, it explores diverse dimensions of disability and its socio-demographic factors. This comprehensive approach bridges the gap in existing literature, offering insights into the nuanced intricacies of disability prevalence and correlates.

Implications of this study findings

The study’s findings have far-reaching implications for policy and resource allocation. By uncovering disability prevalence and its socio-demographic associations, the study enables policymakers to formulate targeted interventions, addressing challenges across education, employment, healthcare, and social inclusion. Moreover, contributing to the global disability discourse, the study underscores the significance of context-specific investigations for impactful interventions. These insights can shape disability-related policies and programs, not just in Bangladesh but also in comparable socio-economic settings worldwide.