We explored the distribution of a subjective social status measure (using the MacArthur social ladder) according to sociodemographic characteristics and objective socioeconomic status (OSS) indicators and their influence on the population's health reported needs and appropriate health-seeking behaviour in this low-income setting. This research results from a cross-sectional study performed during 2015 in Dande, including 12,246 households. A standardised questionnaire was used to assess OSS indicators (such as household income, education, personal assets ownership), SSS, health reported needs and the surveyed population's health-seeking behaviour.

The core funding of al CISA – Health Research Centre of Angola activities has been provided by Camões – Portuguese Institute for Cooperation and Language, by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, by the Angolan Ministry of Health and by the Bengo Province Government. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.