Socio-economic Impact of HIV/AIDS in India: A study of six states

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Socio-Economic Impact of HIV/AIDS

A Study of Six States

National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) with the help

of and funding from UNDP and NACO is conducting a study on the socio-

economic impact of HIV/AIDS in India. It is known that within a short

span of 15 years HIV epidemic has emerged as one of the most serious

public health problems in India and across the globe.

The epidemic warrants appropriate policy action as early as possible.

However, the ¡¥appropriateness¡¦ of the policy action depends on

thorough research into:

(1) the channels of influence of HIV/AIDS on individuals, sectors and

national economies and its quantification;

(2) the knowledge of individual and societal behaviour which may

negate the effects of policy;

(3) the costs of non-intervention compared with the net benefits (or

costs) of (alternative) policy interventions etc.

The main focus of UNDP-NACO-NCAER study is on the first two

questions, with particular reference to the six high prevalence

states in India i.e. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,

Karnataka, Manipur and Nagaland.

With regard to the second question, it is felt that social stigma

attached with the disease is the major inhibiting factor in

controlling the spread of the disease. This study intends to deal

with this aspect also.

Specifically the study is attempting to achieve the following and

contribute to NACP111 formulation:

Analyze the nature and type of socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on

households: This segment of research will help in developing state-

specific strategies that are needed to alleviate the problems faced

by HIV/AIDS affected households.

Assess sectoral impact through measurement of the current and

potential impact of HIV/AIDS on different sectors of the economy

including agriculture, tourism and health care industry.

Assess net impact of HIV/AIDS on national-level economic

performance. An integrated model incorporating specific sectors

associated labour force participation and effects on productivity

will be developed to evaluate and estimate the impact of HIV/AIDS on

the Net Domestic Product (NDP).

The study results will be based on the data collected from an

independent primary survey by NCAER and a supplementary questionnaire

supplied by NCAER to ICMR for administration to a larger sample. The

impact of HIV/AIDS on sectors and national economy will be determined

on the basis of a General Equilibrium model. In addition, the study

will also use qualitative techniques like Case Studies and Focus

Group Discussions (FGD).

Keeping in mind the objectives of the study, NCAER is conducting a

survey of both HIV and non-HIV households. The purpose of surveying

both HIV and non-HIV households is to compare their socio-economic

characteristics, pattern of household expenditure, prevalence of

morbidity, differences in enrolment and drop out of children and time

use pattern of all the household members.

The survey of approximately 8, 000 households is currently being

undertaken and out of this, one-fourth of households have an HIV

positive person (s) i.e around 2,000 households spread across all the

six states. This number is large enough considering the difficulties

involved in identifying Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and

their households and more importantly securing their consent for

interview.

The sample is being drawn from both rural and urban areas of the

states. NACO, through its State AIDS Control Organisations, is

providing crucial support to us for the Survey. It may further be

noted that the number of PLWHA interviewed for the study would be

greater than the number of households since wherever the spouse is

affected by HIV/AIDS, a separate questionnaire is being administered

for the spouse.

Survey in four states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and

Karnataka) is already over. Data processing is currently on. Manipur

and Nagaland are to be taken up in the first week of April. FGD has

been conducted in Bombay (Maharashtra), Bangalore (Karnataka),

Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) and Cambam (Tamil Nadu). One more FGD in

Imphal, Manipur has been planned and is likely to be conducted some

time in April. The FGDs were conducted with the members of the

Network of Positive People.

Shalabh Kumar Singh

National Council of Applied Economic Research

Parisila Bhawan, 11 I. P. Estate

New Delhi - 110 002

Phone: 91-11-23379861/62/63

Fax: 91-11-23370164

E-mail: <SkSingh@...>