A study about awareness and utilization of ‘Nikshay Poshan Yojana’ benefits in selected tuberculosis units in Pune district in India

Background

A monthly incentive of Rs. 500 is transferred to the bank accounts of all notified TB patients to purchase nutritious food under the ‘Nikshay Poshan Yojana’ (NPY) scheme by the Government of India. This study was conducted to assess awareness about the scheme and utilization of the monetary benefit by patients.

Methods

This exploratory study was conducted in selected four ‘Tuberculosis Units’ in Pune district that covered rural and urban areas. The study participants were selected by Convenient and Purposive sampling techniques. We interviewed 227 TB patients, 20 government staff, and 15 private practitioners with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire and interview schedules. Frequencies and means of variables, Chi-square tests were used to analyze quantitative data, and the ‘Thematic analysis’ method was used to analyze qualitative data.

Results

The participants were aware of the scheme's benefits and appreciated the objective. An increase in the amount of the monetary benefit was largely demanded by the participants. Only 71 % of beneficiaries utilized the money for dietary purposes, mainly for food items like Roti/Chapati, Eggs, fruits, ‘milk and milk products’. The lack of availability of required documents with patients is a challenge faced by government staff in the process of timely deposition of monetary benefits in bank accounts.

Conclusion

Strategies should be planned to ensure full utilization of the monetary benefit of the scheme by all the patients for dietary purposes. An increase in the amount of the benefit should be considered by policymakers.