Case Study
Year: 2023 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 159-168
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230823
The Cost of Illness and the Rural Elderly People: A Case Study of Bhadrak District in Odisha, India
Satrughan Behera1, Aditi2, Dr. Sachitananda Sa3, Dr. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar4
1,2Research Scholar, Department of Economic Studies and Policy, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, India
3Assistant Professor, P.G Department of Social Science, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India
4Professor, Department of Economic Studies and Policy, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, India
Corresponding Author: Satrughan Behera
ABSTRACT
This study examined the direct and indirect costs of illness among elderly people and households in Bhadrak district, Odisha. Conducted from May to July 2020, the research included elderly individuals aged 60 years and above using a multi-stage random sampling technique. The study found that during illness, accompanying persons lost more working days than elderly patients, with males experiencing higher income and working day losses compared to females. Scheduled caste individuals were most affected due to their dependence on daily labor and agriculture. The study area also suffered substantial losses of livestock, jewelry, and land, with self-help groups being the main source of loans in rural areas. The direct cost burden of illness was higher than the indirect cost burden for elderly individuals and their families. Medical costs were primarily spent on medicines (29.2%), while non-medical costs were mainly allocated to lodging (15.8%). These findings highlight the need for a reassessment of current public health policies in light of the significant impacts on the elderly and their households.
Key words: Cost of illness, Rural, Elderly, Odisha