INPATIENTS’ SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN MIZORAM

Abstract

Health is not only the absence of illnesses; it is also the ability of people to develop to their potential during their entire lives. In that sense, health is an asset individuals own, which has inherent value (being healthy is an important source of well-being) as well as instrumental value. Researches in social sciences are of empirical in nature and based on the respondents perceptions of socio-economic conditions. Their perceptions are influenced by various socio-economic factors. It is necessary to understand the socio-economic condition of respondents in sociological studies. The study is based on primary data and is conducted between January and March, 2020. For the purpose of the study, 40 indoor patients are randomly selected and interview is done based on the interview schedule which is significant at 10 percent and 90 percent confidence level and hence reflects the entire indoor patients’ population of Civil Hospital, Aizawl. This study shows that patients from the rural area have the highest number of inpatients as compared to urban and other town areas—with a total of 20. The annual expenditure on healthcare of indoor patients’ family shows that a spending below 5,000 INR annually pertains only to BPL and AAY families with 50 percent each on both. People who are poor or living in relative poverty have the highest frequency with 21 (BPL category) which is 52.5 percent out of the total of 40. Those very poor or AAY have 5 families which is 12.5 percent of the total. Together, families who are in relative poverty and extreme poverty contributes 26 or 65 percent of the total indoor patients studied. Patients’ family above the poverty line is 14 or 35 percent of the total. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between poverty status and the use of public hospital services for inpatients. KEYWORDS: Health Economics, Socioeconomic profile, Healthcare, Public Hospitals