Through the Grey Prism

An Intersectional Analysis of Gender, Age, and Healthcare Inequities in Rural Multan, Pakistan

Authors

  • Muhammad Meesum Hassan Department of Sociology, Government Associate College Makhdoom Aali, Higher Education Department, Lodhran – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4558-7703
  • Maryam Rehman Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan – Pakistan
  • Syed Muhammad Ahmad Gillani Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan – Pakistan
  • Saima Afzal (Ph.D) Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1995-3592
  • Imtiaz Ahmad (Ph.D) Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan – Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15869147

Abstract

Abstract Views: 347

This study investigates gender-based health disparities among older individuals in rural Multan, Pakistan. The study's goals are to examine the impact of gender on health status, identify disparities in healthcare service accessibility across socioeconomic groups, and investigate the effects of ageing and dietary intake on health perceptions. Additionally, it identifies gender-specific barriers to healthcare utilisation and investigates the Impact of the social support system and external variables on health outcomes. Methodologically, a quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, utilising a structured interview schedule with 385 respondents aged 60–80 years. Data collection involved rigorous validity and reliability testing of a 66-item questionnaire administered in English and Urdu. Statistical analyses facilitated exploration of health disparities and predictors among elderly males and females. Significant health inequalities are influenced by demographic factors, including ageing, gender, education levels, occupation status, and socio-economic strata. The study underscores the impact of traditional mechanical and emotional gendered roles, limited healthcare access, and socio-economic constraints on health outcomes in the rural areas of Multan city.

Keywords:

Gendered health, Health and aging, Health inequalities, Healthcare utilization

Author Biographies

Muhammad Meesum Hassan,

He is a Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Government Associate College Makhdoom Aali, Higher Education Department in Lodhran – Pakistan. He completed his Masters in Sociology from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan.

Maryam Rehman,

She is a Research Scholar at the Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan. She completed her MPhil. in Sociology from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan.

Syed Muhammad Ahmad Gillani,

He is a Research Scholar at the Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan. He completed his MPhil. in Sociology from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan.

Saima Afzal (Ph.D),

She is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan. She obtained her Doctorate in Rural Sociology from University of Agriculture in Faisalabad – Pakistan.

Imtiaz Ahmad (Ph.D),

He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan. He obtained his Doctorate in Pakistan Studies from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan – Pakistan.

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Hassan, M. M., Rehman, M., Gillani, S. M. A., Afzal, S., & Ahmad, I. (2025). Through the Grey Prism: An Intersectional Analysis of Gender, Age, and Healthcare Inequities in Rural Multan, Pakistan. International Journal of Trends and Innovations in Business & Social Sciences, 3(2), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15869147

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