Abstract:
This study focuses on regional variations and
socio-economic differentials of morbidity that
prevailed in Jaffna society during a period prior
to Covid-19 pandemic. A sample of 6388 persons
of 1123 derived families of siblings of the sample
of Jaffna Socio-Economic Health Study was
followed. The incidence and prevalence of acute
and chronic illnesses reported during 2018 were
subjected to statistical analysis. In addition,
various treatments, including medical and
surgical admissions, by clinical and hospital
episodes were recorded and analyzed to see the
intensity of health issues. Correspondence
analysis was applied to see relationships between
“groups of diseases” and “types of treatments” to
explore regional variations and socioeconomic
differentials in Jaffna society. Clear pictures of
groups of diseases were found for current and
future research for comparative analysis in postCovid situation that will be included with the
major episodes of respiratory diseases, popularly
known as Corona. The gravity and intensity of
acute and chronic diseases such as infections,
parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases of
endocrine-immune mechanism-nutritionalmetabolism etc. reported on the patients were
analyzed and reported. Impacts on the severity, by
geographical variations and socio-economic
differentials, of Jaffna society required health
services are clearly emphasized. Specific
attention is drawn to the health professionals from
this study in the Jaffna society that the people who
had already been affected due to Respiratory
system diseases, Circulatory system diseases and
Diseases of the immune mechanism were
considerably high and would be vulnerable in
future Covid research.
