Awareness and utilization of social welfare schemes among elderly villagers of Mahabubnagar rural region in Telangana State of India – An interventional study approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Demographic transition enhanced the proportion of geriatric population in India. Senior citizens experience progressive economic dependency for their daily survival. The Government of India provides economic assistance through social welfare schemes. However, inadequate awareness of schemes is the key reason for its low utilization. The present study was implemented to evaluate knowledge and utilization of social welfare schemes and also to assess the effect of educational intervention on awareness of elderly persons about welfare schemes. Materials and Methods: A community-based interventional study carried out from July to December 2022. A structured ‘TIV intervention’ comprised of ‘Training module’, ‘Interactive sessions’ and ‘Village Health Meeting’ was administered on 839 elderly persons in one of the rural blocks of Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State of India. Community health workers were actively involved in sensitization sessions. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interview with participants by trained social workers. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20 Software. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in awareness levels and utilization of social welfare schemes due to TIV intervention (P < 0.001, SD = 3.01vs 1.21). The awareness of schemes was significantly greater among males, literates, socioeconomic scale of classes 1 and 2 and with age group of 60-70 years. Conclusions: Simple, cost-effective intervention can make significant gain in awareness and utilization levels of social welfare schemes among elderly population. ‘Traditional Village Meetings’ can be used as a potential opportunity to sensitize community members about social welfare schemes.