A CASE STUDY OF THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE THREE DISTRICTS OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS A UNION TERRITORY OF INDIA

Abstract

The objective of the study: To assess the burden of disease on the tribal and non-tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Methodology: The study focuses on the health status of the tribal and non-tribal population of the Islands and measures theirs out of pocket expenditure on health for 12 months in the year 2016. Primary data has been collected to conduct the study from all three districts of the islands using a random sampling method, and the same has been analyzed using a descriptive-analytical technique and multiple regression models.  Results: Standard multiple regression analysis provides a significant result. The result shows as Annual income increase, the out of pocket expenditure will increase by 0.727 rupees. When the age of the people increases, out of pocket expenditure will increase at a rate of 0.782, and as the quality of public health care services improves out of pocket expenditure will increase to 0.533, which is lower than the other two variables. The annual income age and quality of public health care all have a statistically significant impact on the outcome variable or out of pocket expenditure as the p-value is less than 0.05; therefore, the model is a good fit. Conclusion: Most households in all three districts do not have proper toilet facility and latrine, which lead them to suffer communicable disease such as diarrhea. Also, the majority of them do not treat drinking water, which again causes their illness. The scattered and isolated location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and non-availability of the specialist doctors, surgeons, and well equipped curative health centers or hospitals are the crucial reasons for the huge out of pocket expenditure incurred by the islanders while taking treatment at the mainland. Implication: This study provides insights on the health status of the tribal and non-tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will be helpful to develop better policies for improving the current healthcare scenario. Originality and Novelty of the study: There was no earlier study done on the tribal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.