ABSTRACT
ESI scheme is one of the measures of social security and health insurance in this country it applies to a special class of society those who works in private institutions and factories. It provides not only medical benefits but also other benefits like maternity, sickness, disablement, funeral, dependent benefits which is not provided under any other health insurance schemes. So, it becomes essential to assess the awareness and knowledge about ESI scheme and its benefits among beneficiary employees in Chhattisgarh. It was a cross sectional study done in ESI dispensaries of Chhattisgarh. 420 beneficiary employees were selected by Multi-stage Random Sampling Method. Predesigned, Pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire was used to assess the awareness and knowledge about ESI scheme and its benefits. It was found 100% insured persons were aware about medical benefit, 77.14% were aware about Sickness benefit, 9.52% were aware about Maternity benefit, 66.90% were aware about Disablement benefit, and only 1.19% were aware about Dependent and Funeral benefit. Main source of awareness (68.80%) of ESI benefits for them were Co-workers/Friends & Family, (97.85%) were not aware about continuation of availing medical benefits after retirement, (65.24) of beneficiary employees were aware about amount of wages deducted from salary for ESI Scheme, (64.76) of beneficiary employees were not aware about formalities for claiming various benefits provided by ESI scheme.