Exploring Access to Social Protection for People with Disabilities in Bangladesh

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the accessibility of social protection programs for individuals with disabilities in Bangladesh and identify factors at the individual, household, and community levels influencing this accessibility. Methods: We analyzed data from 4,293 respondents in the 2021 National Survey on Persons with Disabilities. We categorized participation in social protection programs as follows: no assistance (0), support received within six months (1), and support received beyond six months (2). Explanatory variables were considered at individual, household, and community levels. A multilevel multinomial logistic regression model assessed associations, with two age groups: 0-17 and 18+. Results: Only 38% reported inclusion in social protection programs within six months, rising to 48% for support beyond six months. Disability allowances were the most common, followed by old age allowances and VGD/VGF assistance. Inclusion was likelier for older, unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated individuals with disabilities. Conversely, those with higher education, wealthier households, and residing in Dhaka division were less likely to be included. Among children aged 0-17, multiple disabilities increased the likelihood of inclusion. Conclusion: These findings underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive and inclusive social protection policies and programs to support the well-being of individuals with disabilities in Bangladesh. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The survey protocol was reviewed and approved by the National Research Ethics Committee in Bangladesh. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes The datasets used and analysed in this study are available at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.