INVESTIGATION OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHRONIC DISEASES ON LOW INCOME EARNING FAMILY

INVESTIGATION OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHRONIC DISEASES ON LOW INCOME EARNING FAMILY

Introduction to Chapter One

1.1 The Study’s Background

Chronic diseases have come to “matter” in terms of public health in developing nations, where they impose a significant and growing disease burden (WHO 2001). According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, chronic or noncommunicable conditions accounted for 54% of deaths in low and middle income countries in 2002, compared to 36% for communicable disease, material and perorated condition, and dietary deficiencies.

In June 2012, the WHO claimed that between 56% and 19.4% of the world’s population has a disability. The number has risen since 1990, when 10% of the world’s population was disabled, and is anticipated to rise further due to advances in medical care that have changed previously devastating illnesses, including as cancer and HIV/AIDS, into chronic disorders.

According to WHO (2002), chronic diseases have significant negative and underappreciated economic consequences for families, communities, and countries. Chronic diseases and poverty are inextricably linked in a vicious cycle. In practically every country, the poorest individuals are most at risk of getting chronic diseases and dying from them prematurely. Poor people are more prone to chronic illness for a variety of reasons, including increased risk exposure and limited access to health care. People and families who are already poor are more prone to suffer because chronic diseases have a negative impact on family economic prospects.

Low-income families are classified as either acute poverty (when basic needs are barely satisfied) or relative poverty (when family income is less than a percentage of average national income). All of these factors have a negative impact on health. The prevalence of chronic disease is expected to rise to 65% by 2030 (maters and lancer 2005).

Chronic diseases do not impact only the elderly and the wealthy. Poor people and adults of working age bear a disproportionate part of the burden and risk factors for chronic diseases. Chronic sickness has a huge economic impact on the individual, his or her family, and the wider economy, impacting consumption and market performance.

Chronic disease, like in other developing nations, inhibits young and old people’s everyday functionalities in Nigeria due to a chronic metal health or physical health condition. A chronically unwell family member has an impact on the lives of everyone in the family (WHO 2001). Chronic diseases are those that last a long time and progress slowly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2005), chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, accounting for 63% of all deaths. Of the 36 million people who died from chronic diseases in 2008, nine million were under 60 years old, with low and middle income countries accounting for 90% of these premature deaths.

While medical science has made significant advances in developing effective treatments for the physical effects of this disease, many victims continue to face a daunting challenge to their mental and emotional health, with one of the most common fears being the uncertainty associated with chronic diseases. The disease could be mild and only last a short time, or it could be permanent and gradually worsen over time. Chronic disease might necessitate numerous potentially stressful lifestyle changes, such as giving up favorite activities, adjusting to new physical restrictions and special demands, and paying for potentially costly medicines and treatment services.

Chronic diseases, for example, are a major source of illness and mortality in Singapore. Chronic diseases have a significant influence on both people and society as a whole. They have an impact on people’s quality of life and can be financially burdensome for those who are affected. A variety of risk factors associated with a person’s lifestyle can contribute to the development of chronic diseases (for example, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and diabetes). Risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking are mostly changeable.

Adopting good lifestyle choices such as a nutritious diet, frequent physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use can help to prevent or reduce the emergence of debilitating and costly chronic illness consequences. The purpose of this study is to look into the social and economic impact of chronic diseases on low-income families in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

1.2 Formulation of the Problem

Chronic sickness is one of the most serious health issues confronting individuals today, particularly among families. Chronic sickness is regarded as a serious concern in the Nigerian health system today, with low-income earners bearing the brunt of the burden.

Despite the unambiguous predominance of chronic disease in epidemiological terms, the economic dominions of the growing disease burden have not been rigorously documented, particularly in lower income families, which piques the researcher’s interest.

Given that chronic illness disproportionately affects the poor in Nsit Ibom, the researchers decided to investigate the socioeconomic impact of chronic illness on the poor in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

1.3 The Study’s Objective

The primary goal of this research is to look into the social and economic impact and repercussions of chronic diseases on low-income families in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

1.4 Objectives of the Research

The study’s aims are as follows:

To determine whether inferiority complex is a social impact of chronic diseases on low-income households in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

To find out if there is a remedy to the social repercussions of chronic disease on low-income households in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.