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Some indicators of socio‐economic status may not be reliable and use of indices with these data could worsen equity

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  • Obinna Onwujekwe
  • Kara Hanson
  • Julia Fox‐Rushby

Abstract

Socio‐economic status (SES) indices are increasingly being used to characterise (in)equity, with the assumption that SES indices are reliable. However, the accuracy of such SES indices is questionable if they are unreliable. We examined the inter‐rater and test–retest reliability of a range of indicators commonly used to generate SES indices as well as the composite SES indices. Results from research in southeast Nigeria showed considerable variation, with some indicators having only low to moderate reliability (reliability coefficients 0.25–0.77). Inter‐rater and test–retest reliability of SES indices was 0.63 in both cases. Many households were misclassified because of the unreliable SES indices. Analyses of the distribution of resources based on such indicators could lead to inaccuracies in benefit incidence estimates and policy decisions based on low to moderately reliable SES indicators could worsen equity in access to and use of resources. Greater rigour is needed in conceptualising as well as undertaking SES measurements. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Obinna Onwujekwe & Kara Hanson & Julia Fox‐Rushby, 2006. "Some indicators of socio‐economic status may not be reliable and use of indices with these data could worsen equity," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(6), pages 639-644, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:15:y:2006:i:6:p:639-644
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.1071
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    1. Grace Lordan & Eliana Jimenez Soto & Richard P. C. Brown & Ignacio Correa‐Valez, 2012. "Socioeconomic status and health outcomes in a developing country," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(2), pages 178-186, February.
    2. Kamakura, Wagner A. & Mazzon, Jose A., 2013. "Socioeconomic status and consumption in an emerging economy," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 4-18.
    3. Amitha Chandra & Karthikeyan C & Paul Mansingh, 2023. "The Determinants of Socio Economic Status of Farmers – A Systematic Literature Review," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 25(1), pages 138-150, June.

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