Rafiey H¹ (MD), Vameghi M¹ * (MD), Sajjadi H ² (MD), Ghaed-Amini Gh³ (PhD Student)

  ¹ Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social

  Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ² Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social

  Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ³ Social Welfare Management Education Group, University of Social

  Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  Original Article

  Received: 2 Jun 2014, Accepted: 20 Sep 2014

  Abstract

  Introduction: Family income is one of the most important determinants of child’s health across the world. This study has used national data in order to achieve better recognition, regarding intermediary social determinants of health between family income and child’s health.

  Methods: In this ecological study, we used 2006-2010 national data related to indicators of family income, state of dwelling, health services utilization, mother’s health and child’s health. After exploratory factor analysis of all indicators, we measured correlations between latent variables. Then, the remaining variables were entered into the structural equation models.

  Results: Structural equation models’ results showed that models with poor residence state variable as intermediary determinant of child’s health had goodness of fit. However, most models with mother’s health as an intermediary determinant did not have goodness of fit. Data regarding child’s health service utilization were not appropriate for factor analysis and entering in the structural equation models. According to the five models, 33 to 88 percent of child health index has been explained by low income and poor living condition indices. Goodness of fit index in all five models was 0.78-0.8.

  Conclusion: Findings of the study showed that family income essentially affected child’s health through poor residence state. The other variables including mother’s health and health services utilization did not have a mediating role. Moreover, the study accentuate on necessity of having more data on other indicators of child health and its related variables.

  Key words: child, health, Iran, income, structured equation model

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Rafiey H, Vameghi M, Sajjadi H, Ghaed-Amini Gh. Family Income and Child Health in Iran: Recognition of Intermediary Variables’ Role using Sructured Equation Models . Hakim Health Sys Res 2014 17(3): 223- 234.

  * Corresponding Author: Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel & Fax: +98- 21- 22180127. E-mail: m_vameghi@yahoo.com