Health Care Accessibility of Lebanese Working-Age Adults with Musculoskeletal Disability

Abstract

Background. The diversity of the Lebanese society increased after the 1975-1990 civil war, the grapes of Wrath conflict and July 2006 war. Musculoskeletal disabilities affect up to 10% of this population. This category is more vulnerable in terms of health status, and hence requires more health care. Objective. To our knowledge, the health care accessibility of Lebanese young adults with physical disabilities has not been yet explored. This constituted the main objective of the current work. Methods. 78 working-age adults with physical disabilities were enrolled. Each filled questionnaires regarding health care monitoring, health accessibility, and social inclusion. Demographic data were also collected. Results. Around half of our sample did not graduate from high school, and 81% of them was either unemployed or earned less than 200$. 40% of participants reported having difficulty in getting medical care in the past year. This was in relation to the proximity of the physician’s office, the accessibility of health care institutions and services, the level of the received medical knowledge, and the affordability of health care fees. Their health status subsequently reflected the accessibility issue. Pain scores were significantly positively correlated with physical disability scores. Conclusion. Our data emphasize the difficulties faced by the Lebanese working-age adults with musculoskeletal disabilities in terms of accessibility to public places in general, and health care in particular. Our data can be subsequently translated into empowering interventions in public and private sectors to maximize the social inclusion of this population in various domains.