Emerging trends and patterns of self-reported morbidity in India: Evidence from three rounds of national sample survey

Kalosona Paul,Jayakant Singh

doi:10.1186/s41043-017-0109-x

Abstract

BackgroundIndia is rapidly undergoing an epidemiological transition with a sudden change in the disease profile of its population. It is important to understand the changing nature of the burden of disease across the states of India for adequate policy intervention.MethodsWe analyzed the trend and pattern of self-reported morbidity across states of India using three rounds of (52nd, 60th and 71st) National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) data. Descriptive analysis was carried out to understand the prevalence of self-reported morbidity variation over a period of two decades (1995-2014) and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the significant determinants of various types of self-reported morbidities.ResultsThe results indicated an increasing trend of infectious disease, Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVDs) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) over the last two decades (1995-2014). CVDs increased by a whopping eight-fold and the NCDs increased by three times during this period. A higher prevalence of self-reported morbidity was observed among the elderly and female, particularly in the urban locality. The growing incidence of CVDs and NCDs, especially among the elderly were reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal.ConclusionsThe already constrained public health system in India is likely to face serious challenges with a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. An effective and responsive public health system needs to be in place to make health care services available for NCDs and CVDs at the primary level. In order to ameliorate caregiving, the involvement of family will be critical. Informing the people inculcate healthy habits may be an effective health promotion measure.

Highlights

India has some of the palpable health indicators in the world
This paper examined the morbidity pattern in India and states in the last two decades based on the International Classification of Disease (ICD), World Health Organization (WHO) 2012
Infectious disease, Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVDs), NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), and disability increased drastically within a period of two decades, of which, CVDs increased by seven times, disability increased by four times and both infectious diseases as well as NCDs increased by nearly three times (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

India has some of the palpable health indicators in the world. The improvement in infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in India are awfully slow. The recent sample registration system bulletin reveals that over the last two decades (1990-2015) IMR in India reduced from 88 to only 37 per 1000 live births. The subcontinent of India reports one of the highest MMR i.e. 167 deaths per 100,000 live births [1]. Life expectancy at birth which is considered as a summary indicator of health and well-being showed only a marginal improvement, an increase of 3 years. India is rapidly undergoing an epidemiological transition with a sudden change in the disease profile of its population. It is important to understand the changing nature of the burden of disease across the states of India for adequate policy intervention.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion