A Multidimensional Analysis of Preventative Healthcare Measures in India, with Special Reference to Madurai District, Tamil Nadu

Objectives: To assess the level of privileged preventive measures among the States and districts of Tamil Nadu and comprehend the pattern of preventive measures at the household level in Madurai district. Methods and Statistical Analysis: Census 2011 data was used to study the preventive measures at the State level. Household data were collected from 720 households in Madurai district, with 360 from rural and urban each by adopting a three stage stratified sampling method. At household level Multidimensional Preventive Headcount Index was computed. Chi-square was used to find the relationship between the preventive measures and place of residence, education and economic status Findings:At the national level, the indices reflect that most of the southern states especially Tamil Nadu was moderately privileged. A wide regional disparity was observed that 42% of urban are in privileged status while in rural it is only eight percent. A similar trend was observed in Tamil Nadu that tends to increase the morbidity rates. The same pattern was observed in the district and household level. The findings were similar to the results of Census 2011 and NFHS-4 Phase I (2015-16). Chi-square results reiterate the impact of place of residence, education of the head and economic status on the adoption of preventive measures. Zero dimension privilege was found among four percent of rural households which emphasises the urgent need to improve the rural part of the district. Conclusion/Suggestions: Preventive healthcare should be perceived as an investment and concentration on them would mitigate the communicable disease incidence and create positive externality. To reduce the regional inequalities, rigorous implementation of the preventive measures has to be made in rural areas particularly.