ASSESSMENT OF DEPENDENCY-ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL BURDEN OF COVID-19 MORTALITIES

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out interrelationship of economic burden and dependency profile of families with COVID-19 mortalities and to make related recommendations. Methods: A mixed method research was conducted to understand the interwoven mechanisms of COVID-19 mortalities for the study of variables including level of education, type of family, and economic burden to guide and direct public health strategies among research vulnerable groups of population in the present and in the future. Results: The dependency has been high in nuclear and joint family combined (160) as compared to three-generation family (21). The gender-wise distribution shows females having two children in family in higher numbers (46.0%) as compared to males in the same age group (35.5%). There is observed high number of COVID-19 mortalities among graduate and above (79) followed by literate up to higher secondary (60). Mean annual income has been highest in the COVID-19 mortalities for subgroup of a number of children being 4 (5.58%), followed by one child (3.79 lacs), no child (3.11 lacs), two children (2.95 lacs), three children (2.90 lacs), and five and more children (2.79 lacs). Conclusion: Although there is observed intergroup difference in the gender vulnerabilities and varying threshold of dependencies including social, demographic, economic, and developmental areas, there is an appreciable public health need to achieve social gains and avert possible disparities of existence through intersectoral and envisioned strategic reform-based initiatives leading to gainful coexistence of deprived with other social masses to achieve the set target of social developmental goals as per international health actions.