Morbidity variations in Jaffna society - a pre-Covid scenario against – regional disparity and socio-economic status

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.