Consumption patterns and levels among households with HIV positive members and economic impoverishment due to medical spending in Pune city, India.
HIV infection poses a serious threat to the economy of a household. Out of pocket (OOP) health spending can be prohibitive and can drag households below poverty level. Based on the data collected from a cross-sectional survey of 401 households with HIV+ members in Pune city, India, this paper examines the consumption levels and patterns among households, and comments on the economic impoverishment resulting from OOP medical spending. Analysis reveals that households with HIV members spend a major portion of their monthly consumption expenditure on food items. Medical expenditure constitutes a large portion of their total consumption spending. Expenditure on children's education constitutes a minor proportion of total monthly spending. A high proportion of medical expenditure has a bearing on the economic condition of households with HIV members. Poverty increases by 20% among the studied HIV households when OOP health spending is adjusted. It increases 18% among male-headed households and 26% among female-headed households. The results reiterate the need of greater support from the government in terms of accessibility and affordability of health care to save households with HIV members from economic catastrophe.
a School of Health Systems Studies , Tata Institute of Social Sciences , Mumbai , India.
Varun
V
Sharma
Divya
D
Krishnaswamy
Sanjeevanee
S
Mulay
D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
HIV; India; coping strategies; economic impoverishment; out of pocket health spending