Abstract

Purpose Like any other health-related disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has a differential distribution by some socioeconomic factors. This study aimed to estimate and decompose the educational inequality in IBS. Methods Sampling was performed through multi-stage random cluster sampling approach. The data of 1,850 residents of Kish Island aged 15 or older was included and determinants of IBS were identified using General Estimation Equation regression model. The concentration Index of educational inequality in IBS was estimated and decomposed as the specific inequality index. Results The prevalence of IBS in this study was 21.57% (95% CIs: 19.69 - 23.44). The concentration index of IBS was 0.20 (95% CIs: 0.14 - 0.26). The multivariable regression model revealed that age, gender, level of education, marital status, having anxiety and poor general health were significant determinants of IBS. In the decomposition analysis, level of education (89.91%), age (-11.99%) and marital status (9.11%) were the three main contributors of IBS inequality. Anxiety and poor general health were next two contributors of IBS inequality that were responsible for more than 12% of the total observed inequality. Conclusion Main contributors of IBS inequality were educational level, age and marital status. Given a high percentage of anxious individuals among high educated, young, single and divorced people, it can be concluded that possibly all contributors of IBS inequality are partially influenced by psychological factors. Therefore, development of mental health promotion programs to alleviate the inequality in Islanders is highly warranted.