What predictors are associated with the social inclusion of people with disabilities? A comparison of community-based rehabilitation participants to the general population in Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose To estimate which predictors from the World Health Organization’s Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Indicators have the strongest association with the social inclusion of people with disabilities who participate in CBR compared to the general population. Methods Data were collected using the CBR Indicators survey in Vietnam, including both CBR participants and the general population. A social inclusion score was created using seven questions covering the domains of interpersonal relationships and community participation. Additional questions were used as predictors and were grouped into five theoretical categories: sociodemographic, health, education, livelihood, and empowerment. Multivariate linear regression was used to show which predictors had a significant association with social inclusion. Results Seven predictors (one health, three livelihood, and three empowerment) explained 70.9% of the variance in social inclusion for CBR participants and seven predictors (two health, one education, three livelihood, and one empowerment) explained 58.8% of the variance for the general population. Age, gender, education, employment, and self-rated health had non-significant associations in both populations. Conclusions Livelihood and empowerment predictors showed the strongest association with social inclusion of CBR participants, and livelihood predictors for the general population. CBR programs should emphasize livelihood and empowerment activities to increase social inclusion of people with disabilities. Implications for rehabilitation Social inclusion is a human right which has emerged as a major priority in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. People with disabilities continue to experience low levels of social inclusion. It is important to determine which factors have the greatest impact on the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Although Community-Based Rehabilitation programs are often health focused, this study found that empowerment and livelihood predictors had the greatest association with social inclusion. Programs aiming to improve the social inclusion of people with disabilities should target empowerment and livelihood issues.