ObjecOve The main purpose of this study was to invesOgate the prevalence and socio-economic correlates
of disabiliOes in Iran.
Materials & Methods In this study, secondary analysis of aggregate and micro data (at individual and
household level) from the Iranian 2006 census was used. Micro-data collecOon contains representaOve
sample including 19,848 disabled people, 1,235,445 non-disabled people and also at household level,
and 17,166 households with at least one disabled person and 298,741 households with non-disabled
person. Bivariate and mulOvariate staOsOcal analysis were used for data analysis with SPSS soOware.
Results The prevalence of disability was 14.4 per 1000 in Iran. Disability was higher in rural area than
in urban area, and also, was more common among men than women. The findings also indicated that
disabled people had lower levels of socio-economic status compared to non-disabled people. In addi-
Oon, the amount and prevalane of disability in terms of characterisOcs of head of household, economic
and welfare status of household was staOsOcally significant. LogisOc regression analysis showed that
female-headed households, educaOon and low occupaOonal status of head of household, welfare index
of household and rural-urban residence significantly increased the possibility of having a disabled person
in the household.
Conclusion Low levels of welfare and poor living condiOons of households increases the probability of
disability. Thus, it is recommended to offer social welfare programs for lower income and vulnerable
households and also specific services packages for disabled people.