Disparities In Indicators Research Articles

Perspectives and lived experiences of survivors and caregivers of COVID-19 patients in a teaching hospital in a tribal district of Chhattisgarh, India

ABSTRACT Background: The rural–urban healthcare disparity in India was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the second wave hitting rural areas particularly hard due to weak infrastructure. A study in Chhattisgarh aims to explore the experiences of severely ill COVID-19 survivors and caregivers to inform patient-centric care delivery in primary settings. Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with seven patients and seven caregivers during home visits or telephonically to understand lived experiences of receiving care for COVID-19 in an ICU in the public health system. Socioecological model was used to guide the qualitative inquiry. Results: COVID-19 patients faced stigma due to their diagnosis. The survivors felt lonely due to isolation, uncertainty about their illness, and fear of death. Poor mental health during ICU stay affected their physical health. Patients with caregivers felt supported despite visitor restrictions. Transparent communication with health providers reduced distress. Conclusion: The study in Chhattisgarh, India, highlights ICU survivors’ and caregivers’ experiences, revealing fear and loneliness among patients. Effective communication and caregiver presence improve outcomes, emphasizing holistic support. There’s an urgent need for palliative care integration, caregiver inclusion, and comprehensive post-discharge follow-up by primary-level practitioners in rural settings. Lack of state-level palliative care policy emphasizes the need for comprehensive initiatives to enhance healthcare outcomes.

Gender Disparities in India: Causes, Impacts, and Measures

The gender gap that still exists in Indian society has touched the various spheres of life such as education, employment opportunities, income, health, economic issues, social and cultural issues, etc. Discrimination towards women starts even before her birth in the form of female foeticide and after her birth in the form of female infanticide has been in practice. Gender inequality restricts women’s access to opportunities and resources. In this paper, we have tried to highlight the causes and consequences of gender inequality in India and put forward measures to reduce this inequality.

Functional integration and utilization of technologies in school education with reference to regional disparity in India

Technology has brought about a radical change in the field of education. Today education has been made simple and accessible to all without any economic, geographical, or psychological barriers. Due to the falling learning outcomes of Indian students over the past few decades (Annual Status of Education Report, 2023), technology was added to the field of education with great hope. The central government has provided equal facilities to every school in the country through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (2001), Right to Education (2009) to Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS 2018). Therefore, quality education can be provided to the students as per their need and students should have access to quality education without any barriers. However, the presented research has brought about on the basis of data from the (UDISE +) Unified District Information System for Education data (2021–22) that regional differences were found in the availability of computers and computer-related facilities and functional availability of Information & Communication Technologies’ facilities in all the states of India. Along with this, differences in computers and Integrated teaching Learning Devices were also found on the basis of the type of schools across different management and across the states in India.

Caste Inequality in Medical Crowdfunding in India

Medical crowdfunding has gained significant popularity and importance, yet researchers argue that it might not offer equitable financial assistance to vulnerable groups. Studies in Western countries have highlighted disparities in medical crowdfunding based on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic dimensions. Despite this, the equity implications of crowdfunding in India have not been thoroughly investigated. We present the initial empirical evidence indicating caste-based inequalities in medical crowdfunding within India. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset comprising 5527 medical crowdfunding campaigns from one of India’s largest platforms, we evaluate the impact of the recipient’s caste identity on campaign outcomes. Our methodology utilises administrative data to deduce caste from the recipient’s surname. Campaigns by individuals from dominant caste groups tend to garner higher funds compared to those from marginalised castes, largely due to higher average donations. Furthermore, individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (marginalised groups in India) initiate disproportionately fewer campaigns than dominant castes. Our findings remain robust across various performance metrics and alternative model specifications, even after adjusting for multiple campaign features and recipient locations. In summary, our study highlights how crowdfunding on for-profit platforms may exacerbate existing caste-related health disparities in India by disproportionately favouring privileged groups.

An Analysis of Linkages between Literacy and Economic Participation of Women in India

An increase in women’s economic empowerment increases access and control over their strategic life choices, which affects their ability to effectively utilize available opportunities and understand their abilities. Education is one of the critical factors influencing women's economic empowerment. Due to several interventions for promoting female literacy, school enrolment of girls has increased, and the literacy rate improved significantly in India, especially in rural areas. However, this has no impact on female work participation when we compare it to male work participation. An attempt is made in the present paper to analyze the linkages between literacy and economic participation of women to understand the inter-state disparities in India. The study observed a weak correlation between literacy and female work participation rate, suggesting that higher literacy will not lead to a high female work participation rate due to the gender norms deeply rooted in the culture.

Exploring the causes and consequences of income inequality in India

The unequal income distribution among people or households within a society is called income inequality. It is a crucial socioeconomic problem that has an impact on the foundation of all countries. With its wide diversity and intricate social structure, India is a country where economic inequality poses special difficulties and ramifications. This essay investigates the origins and effects of income disparity in India, looking at its historical development, relevance, and the urgent need for in-depth study in this area. The degree to which income is dispersed unevenly among a population is known as income inequality. Numerous income distribution ratios, the Lorenz curve, and the Gini coefficient are among the statistical methods frequently used to measure this inequality. Greater inequality is indicated by a higher Gini coefficient, and more equitable income distribution is shown by a lower coefficient. Income inequality can take many different forms in India, such as regional differences, urban-rural splits, and socioeconomic stratifications.

Financial Development and Subnational Export Performance: Evidence from the Indian States

The present study investigates the relationship between export performance and the level of financial development for 30 Indian states and union territories (UTs) from 2011–12 to 2020–21. The study first ranks the states and UTs on the parameters of financial development and physical infrastructure using the robust principal component analysis method. By applying the instrumental variable fixed effects panel data technique, the study observes that the level of financial development has a significant positive impact on the export performance of the states. The study also finds a positive effect of the availability of physical infrastructure, quality of governance and fiscal position on states’ export performance but does not observe a significant role of political stability in this context. The results suggest that export growth in the economically laggard and Himalayan states can come through policy interventions to improve financial development. In contrast, landlocked states need better physical infrastructure to facilitate easier production and transportation of export goods. The study lends new perspectives to the nascent literature on inter-regional disparities in India’s export performance and is expected to provide insights into improving the sub-national export performance of other developing countries as well. JEL Codes: F14, F36, F4

Analysing Determinants of Institutional Delivery in NFHS-5: A Comprehensive Study in India with a Focus on Caste Dynamics

The benefit of institutional delivery not only impacts maternal health but also reduces newborn mortality and increases overall well-being. This study focused on differences in the determinants of delivering at institution settings in India, with specific importance given to mothers within different caste groups. This is one area that was given less importance in the existing literature, particularly in studies that focused on the determinants of institutional delivery in India. Using data from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), the research explores factors influencing the choice between institutional and non-institutional delivery. Using logistic regression, and after removing influential and large residual observations (outliers), the analysis reveals that sociocultural determinants, including caste, religion, economic status and maternal education, significantly impact delivery preferences. Mothers from Scheduled Castes and Other Caste categories exhibit a higher likelihood of opting for institutional delivery. Economic factors, partner support, family size, maternal education, health-seeking behaviours, age, perceived distance to health facilities and media engagement also play crucial roles. Comparative analyses across caste groups emphasize the influence of wealth and education on institutional delivery choices. The findings underscore the need for having targeted interventions addressing diverse sociocultural contexts to improve maternal healthcare outcomes and reduce health disparities in India. Efforts should focus on awareness campaigns and overcoming challenges to promote the benefits of institutional delivery.

Understanding oral cancer disparities in India: Exploring socioeconomic and demographic factors impacting access to care and outcomes

The high prevalence rates, inequalities in treatment outcomes and access to care and other factors make oral cancer a major public health concern in India. The diverse aspects of oral cancer disparities in India are examined in this article, with a particular emphasis on the socioeconomic and demographic variables that affect outcomes and access to care. Disparities still exist even with improvements in treatment modalities. These are caused by low socioeconomic position, low health literacy, cultural customs, and gender variations in risk behaviors. A comprehensive strategy that includes investments in healthcare infrastructure, health education programs, and tobacco control measures is needed to reduce the disparities in oral cancer. India may strive toward providing equal access to oral cancer care for all its population by eliminating systemic injustices and encouraging preventative measures.

Unbalanced Industrialisation and Geographic Peculiarities: A Study of India?

The inter-regional disparity in economic indicators in India has increased by a considerable amount over the years. The current study is an attempt to highlight the inter-state industrialisation disparities in India. The study, based on the theoretic exposition of new economic geography, argues that the initial geographical (historical) advantage to the southern part of India has locked in industrial activities in that region (core), depriving the northern (periphery) regions of the similar benefits. Based on the Annual Survey of Industries data, the study validates that the southern regions are geographically advantageous in India and are better industrialised than the geographically disadvantaged northern regions. The study points towards the negligence of the union government in acknowledging and intervening into the industrialisation and developmental divides rampant in the latter regions. The study concludes by laying grounds open for the furtherance in the recognition of economic geography as one of the fundamental determinants of inter-regional inequalities across India, demanding immediate policy attention. JEL Codes: J61, O14

The rich-poor divide: Unravelling the spatial complexities and determinants of wealth inequality in India

This study presents the first in-depth analysis of spatial differences and factors influencing wealth distribution among households in India. It uses data from the latest National Family Health Survey, covering 707 districts. Techniques like the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, Location Quotient, Morans statistics, and Univariate and Bivariate LISA methods explore inequalities, concentration, and clustering patterns of rich-poor households at the district level. Additionally, spatial regression models such as OLS, GWR, and MGWR help to uncover spatial disparities and variability. Our findings demonstrate significant regional disparities, with the affluent household concentration being notably higher in north-western and southern India, while central, eastern, and northeastern regions exhibit greater inequality. Key factors impacting wealth inequality include rurality, low female literacy rates, educational level of household heads and prevalence of Scheduled Castes/Tribes. This study highlights the spatial dimensions of wealth inequality and provides a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to these patterns. The GWR and MGWR models prove most effective, explaining more than 90% of the variation in wealth distribution factors. This study sheds light on the spatial dynamics and factors behind wealth disparities in India, offering strategic insights for equitable growth initiatives targeting diverse socio-economic sectors.

Disparities in Unmet Health Care Needs Among US Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted pediatric health care in the United States, and this disruption layered on existing barriers to health care. We sought to characterize disparities in unmet pediatric health care needs during this period. We analyzed data from Wave 1 (October through November 2020) and Wave 2 (March through May 2021) of the COVID Experiences Survey, a national longitudinal survey delivered online or via telephone to parents of children aged 5 through 12 years using a probability-based sample representative of the US household population. We examined 3 indicators of unmet pediatric health care needs as outcomes: forgone care and forgone well-child visits during fall 2020 through spring 2021, and no well-child visit in the past year as of spring 2021. Multivariate models examined relationships of child-, parent-, household-, and county-level characteristics with these indicators, adjusting for child's age, sex, and race/ethnicity. On the basis of parent report, 16.3% of children aged 5 through 12 years had forgone care, 10.9% had forgone well-child visits, and 30.1% had no well-child visit in the past year. Adjusted analyses identified disparities in indicators of pediatric health care access by characteristics at the level of the child (eg, race/ethnicity, existing health conditions, mode of school instruction), parent (eg, childcare challenges), household (eg, income), and county (eg, urban-rural classification, availability of primary care physicians). Both child and parent experiences of racism were also associated with specific indicators of unmet health care needs. Our findings highlight the need for continued research examining unmet health care needs and for continued efforts to optimize the clinical experience to be culturally inclusive.

An Analysis on Women Enrolment in Higher Education in India

There is still a gender enrolment disparity in India’s higher education system, despite notable progress. Using a combination of methods for thorough analysis, this study explores the complex interactions between socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers preventing women from pursuing higher education chances. Further, this study relies on the issues of Girls are disproportionately affected by ongoing poverty, a lack of family support, and uneven access to high-quality secondary school, which undermines their ambitions for further education. Women students in higher education are marginalized and denied academic opportunities due to inadequate infrastructure, a dearth of gender-sensitive teaching techniques, and a dearth of female role models. Not only is closing the gender gap in higher education morally required, but it is also a calculated investment in the future of India. India can unleash the enormous potential of its female population and move the country toward a more egalitarian and prosperous future by removing the complex hurdles found in this study and putting in place efficient interventions at the individual, and institutional. The simple statistical tools adopted and it was observed from the results that the annual average percentage rate was positive in all the levels of education. Finally, it is particularly noted that the majority of the women were enrolled in Ph.D after integrated and PG Diploma programmes.

Wage Differentials and Inequality in Managerial and Professional Jobs: Quantile Regression Analysis

In the economics literature, it is vividly portrayed that there is a great deal of disparity in wages received by workers across economic activities and occupations in India. The primary purpose of this article is to identify factors determining wage differentials and to measure wage inequality in managerial and professional occupations. Using unit-level records of periodic labour force survey (PLFS) published by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), we apply quantile regression model to examine how wage distribution is determined by personal, household and labour market characteristics. Our analysis is limited to persons aged between 15 and 65 and employed in managerial and professional occupations. The findings suggest that rural–urban dichotomy, gender, technical education, social group, job contract, type of enterprise and enterprise workforce size are statistically significant across quantiles and are important in explaining the wage distribution of managerial and professional workers in India. From a policy perspective, the invigoration of gender-based measures coupled with the expansion of technical education and labour market institutions are essential for bridging the wage disparity in India. JEL Classifications: J16, J24, J31

Caste-based Diminished Returns of Educational Attainment on Wealth Accumulation in India.

Education is widely recognized as a key driver of wealth generation, providing individuals with the opportunity to enhance their socioeconomic status. However, the effectiveness of education in generating wealth varies significantly across different social groups. In the United States, research has shown that Black individuals experience weaker economic returns on education compared to their White counterparts, a phenomenon explained by the theory of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs). Although MDRs have been documented in various countries, their relevance to caste-based disparities in India remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the caste-based diminished returns of education on wealth in India. We hypothesize that the returns on educational attainment, in terms of wealth generation, will be weaker for individuals from Scheduled Castes (SCs) compared to those from higher castes, using data from the India Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). This study was a cross-sectional analysis of DHS -2019/2021 data from India, examining the relationship between educational attainment and wealth across different caste groups (scheduled castes and non-scheduled castes). Multivariate regression models will be employed to assess the interaction between caste and education in predicting wealth outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates such as age, gender, and region. The study is expected to find that the returns on education, in terms of wealth, are significantly weaker for individuals from Scheduled Castes compared to those from higher castes. This would indicate that caste-based discrimination continues to hinder the economic progress of Scheduled Castes, even when they achieve similar levels of education as their upper-caste counterparts. The findings of this study will extend the MDR framework to the Indian context, demonstrating that caste-based disparities result in diminished returns on education for wealth generation. This study underscores the need for targeted policies that address the specific barriers faced by Scheduled Castes in translating educational attainment into economic success and highlights the ongoing impact of caste-based discrimination in India.

Illuminating Economic Disparity in India: Evaluating Nighttime Light Inequality as a proxy for Economic Inequality in India.

Illuminating Economic Disparity in India: Evaluating Nighttime Light Inequality as a proxy for Economic Inequality in India.

Sub-National Disparities in Indicators of Maternal Mortality in Kenya: Insights from Demographic Health Surveys Towards Attaining SDG 3

Sub-National Disparities in Indicators of Maternal Mortality in Kenya: Insights from Demographic Health Surveys Towards Attaining SDG 3

ASSESSING QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS IN PATIENTS WITH PARTIAL AND COMPLETE ADONTIA BY APPLYING SF-36 QUESTIONNAIRE

The aim of our study was tocarry out clinical analysis of quality of life indicators in patients with partial and complete adontia by using the SF-36 questionnaire.
 Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the study was the study of the quality of life of patients with partial and complete absence of teeth, which included the following main stages: development of a research protocol, selection of a research tool, examination of patients, data collection, database formation, scaling of questionnaire data, statistical data processing, analysis and interpretation results.
 Three groups were included in the study: patients with partial adontia, patients with complete adontia, and a control group for comparative analysis. Each group comprises 7 individuals, evenly distributed by age and gender.
 Among the general questionnaires employed, we used the SF-36 known as widely adopted instrument for the comprehensive examination of quality of life. This questionnaire is commonly employed in both population-based and specialized studies focused on the quality of life.
 The MOS SF-36 questionnaire consists of 36 questions categorized into 8 domains. Respondents provide answers in the form of points ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score on the scale is indicative of a higher standard of living.
 Results. Complete and partial adontia is characterized by the complete loss of permanent teeth, which leads to aesthetic, structural and functional changes that can negatively affect the quality of life, and which are minimized by rehabilitation with removable dentures.
 The findings obtained have revealed a decline in quality of life indicators across all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire in patients with partial adontia across nearly all age groups. Notably, in patients with a complete set of teeth, the disparities in indicators are most pronounced, exhibiting statistically significant differences when compared to the other group.
 Conclusion. The presented results from the assessment of the quality of life among patients with partial and complete absence of teeth by using the SF-36 questionnaire highlight a substantial reduction in overall quality of life for patients with dentition defects. This decline is evident across all domains of the questionnaire, and notably intensifies with the advancing age of patients.

An examination of economic growth determined by foreign direct investment and the institutional environment: a subnational perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and economic growth with a special focus on the institutional environment at the state level. FDI-led economic growth and economic growth-led FDI have two dominant theoretical foundations, but empirical research supports contradictory findings. These perspectives largely ignore the institutional environment, assuming institutions to be background information.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the causal relationship between FDI, the Granger causality method has been used. The impact of FDI inflows and other institutional factors on economic growth has been examined using the panel data regression method. The principal component analysis (PCA) method has also been used to develop indexes for some variables.FindingsResults indicate a two-way Granger causality between FDI inflows and economic growth at the state level. Infrastructures, education expenses, labour availability and gross fixed-capital formation (GFCF) are positive and significant determinants, whilst corruption and FDI inflows are leaving negative impact on state-wise economic growth.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of the literature in four different ways: first, it empirically examines the trends and patterns of subnational FDI inflow and economic growth disparity in India; second, it examines the causality between FDI and economic growth. Third, with the institution-based paradigm in international business, it investigates how institutional variables affect the expansion of the economy. Fourth, it extends prior research by examining the link at the state level using a large panel data set made up of 29 states and 7 union territories (UTs) over the years 2000–2019.

Addressing leadership competency gaps and gender disparities in India's medical workforce: a call to action.

Addressing leadership competency gaps and gender disparities in India's medical workforce: a call to action.