Introduction:
Various schemes are initiated by Government of India periodically. These schemes may be central, state or a combination of both. In 2015, three new schemes were launched by the Government of India namely Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana. (1) These schemes will be helpful in case of accident injuries, pension after retirement, and benefit the family after insured's death, but many people living in India are either not aware or not motivated to utilize these available schemes. (2) A study was conducted in 2012 in Bangalore rural district to assess the individual’s awareness level about the health schemes and their willingness to enrol for the same. Around 331 houses were included for the study and only one third of the people from the selected houses had the awareness and only 22% had health insurance coverage. (3)
Another study was conducted in Maharashtra in 2013 to assess the awareness, enrolment and utilization of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY). Data was collected by interview techniques both in urban and rural areas covering 6000 health expenses for below poverty line households across 22 districts. Awareness about the scheme was found among 29.7% people only and enrolment during the period of 2010-12 was about 21.6%. (4) Another study was conducted to assess the determinants of morbidity pattern, quality of life and awareness of elderly about various government schemes and social security legislations. Data was collected by house to house survey among participants aged 60 years and above using a structured interview schedule. The study concluded that morbidity was present among 194 (94.2%) people and it was more among less educated people (p = .007). Awareness level was significantly better among males (p < 0.001), well educated (p < 0.001), better socio-economic status respondents (p < 0.001) and those currently working (p = 0.026). (5)
An evaluation study was done in the rural community of Anand District, Gujarat in 2008 to evaluate the usage of maternal and child health services provided by government to them. A total of 555 children of age less than three years and 1481 women in reproductive age group were included in the study. Utilization of government schemes among postnatal women was 9% to 20 %. (6)
Another study conducted in 2014 to evaluate the awareness of families belonging to below poverty line regarding the scheme applicable to them and its utilization involved house to house survey to collect the information in the villages of Udupi District. About 200 BPL families were selected for the study. The result found that, many had poor knowledge (85.5%) and very few (14.5%) had average knowledge about these schemes. The utilization rate was about 77.8% for Janani Suraksha Yojana, 64% for Basavavasathi scheme, 58% for BPL Ration scheme, 55.4% for Old Age Pension, 54.2% for Bhagya Lakshmi Scheme, 19.5% for Swarna Jayanthi Gram Sarojgar Yojana, 15.5% for Nirmala Bharath Abhiyan, 14% for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and 4% for Suvarna Gramodhaya Yojana. There was a strong association between knowledge and education (χ2=4.118, p<0.05). (7)
The purpose of the present study was to assess the awareness of people towards newly initiated government schemes and the utilization which could help the researcher to impart knowledge if required, so that people would be benefited by government-initiated schemes.
Methods:
Research approach and study design: Quantitative approach and a descriptive survey design was adopted for the study.
Target population: The population consisted of village people of Udupi Taluk belonging to the age group of 18 to 60 years.
Sampling: The cities of Udupi taluk were selected as clusters and then the villages were selected by simple random sampling technique. Study participants were selected by convenient sampling technique. The sample size obtained was 300.
Selection Criteria: The inclusion criteria for the selection of sample were participants who were able to read and write in Kannada and English, and belonging to the age group of 18-60 years. Participants who were unable to read and write were excluded from the study.
Tools used:
- Demographic proforma
- Semi Structured Knowledge Questionnaire on newly initiated Government schemes
- Structured Questionnaire on utilization of newly initiated Government schemes
All the tools had 100% agreement by the validators in terms of accuracy, relevance and appropriateness. The reliability of the tool was established by administering the tool to 20 participants. Split half method was adopted to find out the internal consistency and the score was r= 0.89.
Procedure: Permission was obtained from institutional research committee. This study fit into the guidelines and the procedures followed were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975. Ethical clearance was obtained from IEC, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal (IEC 69/2016). Permission was taken from the Gram Panchayat Presidents of selected villages of Udupi Taluk. Participant information sheet was explained to individual participant and consent was obtained from the eligible participants. Anonymity and confidentiality was assured. Tool on demographic proforma and knowledge questionnaire on utilization of schemes were administered to assess awareness. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding utilization of schemes. Teaching was given based on awareness level.
The data was compiled and analyzed using SPSS 20 version. Descriptive statistics was used for sample characteristics.
Results:
As per the results shown in Table 1, out of 300 participants, 58.7% belonged to nuclear family. Majority, 95%, of them were living in rural areas. About 93.7% participants were Hindus. Almost 26.3% of them were home makers. About 42.7% of people were having monthly family income Rs. 5000-10000. About 31.3% of them had studied up to secondary higher education. Major source of information was television, i.e. 71.7%. About 71.3% of participants were married.
About 66.7% participants had average knowledge, 27% participants had good knowledge and 6.3% participants had poor knowledge on newly initiated government schemes, whereas, about 27% participants were utilizing newly initiated government schemes and 73% were not utilizing these schemes.
Table 1: Description on type of scheme utilized [n= 81] |
|
Frequency(f) |
Percentage (%) |
APY |
22 |
26.16 |
PMJJBY |
24 |
26.16 |
PMSBY |
25 |
30.86 |
Combination |
10 |
12.34 |
Data presented in Table 1 shows that among 81 participants, 30.86% of participants had utilized Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, 26.16% participants utilized Atal Pension Yojana, 29.63% used Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana and 12.86% participants were using the combinations of all these 3 schemes.
| Table 2: Association between awareness on newly initiated government schemes and the selected variables [n=300] |
Variables |
f |
χ2 |
df |
p value |
Monthly family income (in Rs.) |
22.881 |
10 |
0.011* |
<5000 |
108 |
5001-10000 |
128 |
10001-20000 |
47 |
20001-30000 |
10 |
30001-40000 |
5 |
>40000 |
2 |
Educational qualification |
20.753 |
10 |
0.023* |
Primary |
43 |
High school |
94 |
P.U.C |
77 |
Graduate |
53 |
Post-Graduate |
42 |
Occupation |
|
Agriculture |
28 |
26.692 |
14 |
0.021* |
Beedi worker |
36 |
Business |
40 |
Coolie |
36 |
Home maker |
79 |
Professional |
22 |
Student |
37 |
Other |
22 |
| *significant at p<0.05 |
Data presented in Table 2 shows that there was significant association between the awareness on newly initiated government schemes and selected demographic variables such as monthly family income (χ2=22.881, p=0.011), educational qualification(χ2=20.753, p=0.023) and occupation (χ2=26.69, p=0.021)
| Table 3: Association between utilization on newly initiated government schemes and the selected variables [n =300] |
Variables |
f |
χ2 |
df |
p value |
Monthly family income (in Rs.) |
6.393 |
5 |
0.270 |
<5000 |
108 |
5001-10000 |
128 |
10001-20000 |
47 |
20001-30000 |
10 |
30001-40000 |
5 |
>40000 |
2 |
Educational qualification |
3.826 |
5 |
0.575 |
Primary |
43 |
High school |
94 |
P.U.C |
77 |
Graduate |
53 |
Post-Graduate |
42 |
Occupation |
|
|
|
Agriculture |
28 |
17.287 |
7 |
0.016* |
Beedi worker |
36 |
Business |
40 |
Coolie |
36 |
Home maker |
79 |
Professional |
22 |
Student |
37 |
Other |
22 |
| *significant at p<0.05 |
Data presented in the Table 3 shows that there was significant association between utilization of newly initiated government schemes and the selected variables such as occupation (χ2=17.287, p=0.016). There was no significant association between utilization of newly initiated government schemes and selected demographic variables such as educational qualification (χ2 =3.826, p=0.575) and the monthly family income (χ2=6.393, p=0.270)
Discussion
This study has revealed that about 66.7% participants had average knowledge, 27% of participants had good knowledge and 6.3% participants had poor knowledge on newly initiated government schemes and these findings are similar to the findings of the study conducted by Thakur H where only 29.7% people were aware about the scheme and in another study conducted by Joseph M, about 85.5% people had poor knowledge.(4,7) People who are aware about the schemesmay not use those schemes. The results of this study about utilization reveals that about 27% participants were utilizing newly initiated government schemes and 73% were not utilizing these schemes. The schemes utilized were PMSBY (30.6%), APY (26.16%), PMJJBY (29.63%) and combination of all these three schemes (12.86%). These results are congruent with the results of the study conducted by Bhanderi DJ where the government scheme utilization among postnatal mothers was only 9 -20 %.(6)
The present study also revealed that there was significant association between the awareness of newly initiated government schemes and selected demographic variables such as monthly family income (χ2=22.881, p=0.011), education qualification (χ2=20.753, p=0.023) and occupation (χ2=26.69, p=0.02). Results also showed that there was significant association between utilization of newly initiated government schemes and the selected demographic variables such as occupation (χ2=17.287, p=0.016). These findings are congruent with the studies done in 2014 by Joseph N and in 2015 by Joseph M which revealed that knowledge had significant association between education, type of family, better socio-economic status and currently employment.(5,7)
The results of this study gave the insight that every member of health team has a responsibility to educate the public and that community health nurse should involve with government in planning, and organizing, implementation and monitoring all newly initiated Government schemes. The nurse can help the families by motivating the individual or family to avail those schemes and improve their life style practices. The community health nurse can play a vital role in health care delivery system, especially in rural areas.
The study was conducted for small representative group of whole population in selected setting, hence the generalization is limited only to adopted village.
Conclusion
Even though government initiated schemes are of benefit to people in many ways, people are not aware about these schemes and those who are aware about these schemes may not enrol to any of these schemes and may not utilize the services. There is a strong association between the knowledge about these schemes and educational qualification, occupation and monthly family income as well as utilization of these schemes and people’s occupation.
Conflict of Interest:
The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
- Hans India. Indian Government Schemes. Jul 10,2016. Available at http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Young-Hans/2016-07-10/Indian-government-schemes-/241138
- Be Money Aware. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana,Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojna. March 9, 2015. Available at https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/pradhan-mantri-suraksha-bima-yojana-pradhan-mantri-jeevan-jyoti-bima-yojana-atal-pension-yojna/
- Madhukumar S, Sudeepa D, Gaikwad V. Awareness and perception regarding health insurance in Bangalore rural population. Int J Med Public Health. 2012; 2(2): 18-22
- Thakur H. Study of awareness, enrolment, and utilization of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (National Health Insurance Scheme) in Maharashtra, India. Front Public Health. 2015;3:282. Published online 2016, Jan 7. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00282
- Joseph N, Nelliyanil M, Nayak SR, Agarwal V, Kumar A, Yadav H et al. Assessment of morbidity pattern, quality of life and awareness of government facilities among elderly population in South India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015;4(3):405-10.
- Bhanderi DJ. An evaluation of the utilization of reproductive and child health services provided by government to the rural community of Anand District, Gujrat. Indian J Public Health. 2009; 53(4):250-2.
- Joseph M, Anusuya, Manjula. Knowledge of BPL families regarding the BPL schemes. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science. 2014;3(6):12-56.
|
