IJCM_209A: Are the patients with tuberculosis beneficiaries of the social protection schemes of the government? An operational research from coastal Karnataka

Abstract

Background: One of the components of Pillar 2 of the End TB strategy focuses on social protection and addressing the social determinants of TB. Objective: We assessed the proportion of patients with TB who were utilizing the various social protection schemes of the government. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four TUs of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka State between September 2019 and January 2020. All public notified patients with TB who completed at least the intensive phase of TB treatment were included. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to the patients at their residence by the trained field worker in the Kannada and responses regarding utilization of key social protection schemes were recorded. Basic socio demographic and clinical details were obtained from the TB treatment card. Results: Of 174 patients, 46 percent were in the productive age group (15-44 years). More than two thirds were males. Around one-third were employed and about 55 percent belonged to urban areas. More than half of the patients belonged to below poverty line. Among the social protection schemes applicable to all the patients, 36.8% had received the first installment of cash transfer for nutritional supplementation and about 5% received nutritional supplements from local funding mechanisms. About 97% patients in the below poverty line or Antyodaya group had received dry ration from PDS. About 52% of the women in the reproductive age group were enrolled with ICDS; however, none availed the dry ration. Three fourths of patients utilized at least one social protection scheme. The timings of availability were not suitable for almost half of the patients to avail the benefits. Conclusion: The utilization of the existing social protection schemes was found to be suboptimal. The possible reasons need to be explored using qualitative research.