Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate patterns in disability prevalence among older persons and their health care seeking behavior and to see how they vary between the two selected states, which vary in socioeconomic and demographic conditions.
Methods: Data from the 58th round of National Sample Survey (NSS) on disabled persons was utilized. The states in focus were Kerala, the state well advanced in health transition processes and Uttar Pradesh, the state lagging in these processes. Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to model socio-demographic determinants of disability prevalence among older persons and their treatment seeking behavior.
Results: Overall prevalence of disabilities was higher in Kerala compared with Uttar Pradesh. Locomotion, speech and hearing disabilities were more prevalent in Kerala. Correspondingly, prevalence of visual disabilities was lower in Kerala compared with Uttar Pradesh. Older persons in Kerala had greater likelihood of seeking treatment for reported disabilities.
Conclusion: This article documented critical evidence that both the disability and health care utilization rates are on the rise among older persons. At the same time, substantial disparities are demonstrated in the pattern of disability prevalence and health care utilization among older persons by socio-demographic factors and between Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.