Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate the socio-economic factors of inequalities in common mental disorders (MDs) between advantaged and disadvantaged groups and also to determine the main contributors of inequality. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016–2017. The authors included 763 persons by stratified cluster sampling; clusters were cities, geographical area and households. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique was used to estimate of main inequalities determinant between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Findings: Overall prevalence of MDs was 22.6 and 35.6 in the advantage and disadvantaged groups, respectively. The concentration index was −0.013 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): −0.022, −0.004; therefore, MDs were more concentrated in the deprived group. The risk of MDs in deprived group and females was 81 and 60% higher than advantaged group (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.57) and males (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.24), respectively. Educational status −0.06 (95% CI: −0.10, −0.01) was the highest level of contribution in inequality in gaps between groups. Originality/value: The socio-demographic inequality in MDs among adult population was more explained by lower educational level, married persons and unemployment variables. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.