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Gender and Disability Among Older Adults in North and South India: Differences Associated with Coresidence and Marriage

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Abstract

Women in most settings are morelikely than men to experience as well as reportpoor health and functional disabilities. Studies in the economically advanced countries(as in the US) have also shown an associationbetween gender, marital status and health anddisability. However, there is very littleinformation about gender differentials indisability among the elderly in developingcountries, especially those in South Asia. Also, little is known about the associationbetween gender, marital status, coresidencewith sons, and disability among older adults inthese countries.

This study uses data from the National FamilyHealth Survey conducted in India in 1991–1992 toassess the gender disparities in functionalhealth among persons 55 years and older and tocompare the situation in the northern andsouthern parts of the country. Using logisticregression analysis, this study examines therelation between marital status, livingarrangements and functional status of olderadults in the states of Uttar Pradesh andHaryana in the north and Kerala and Tamil Naduin the south.

The results confirm a female disadvantage inphysical impairments in the northern states,although these differences are not significantin the south. Marital status and coresidencewith sons is associated with impairments andthese associations show interestinginteractions.

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Sengupta, M., Agree, E.M. Gender and Disability Among Older Adults in North and South India: Differences Associated with Coresidence and Marriage. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 17, 313–336 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023079219538

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