INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS AND REPERCUSSIONS OF CHRONIC ILLNESSES ON LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD

1.1 Introduction

Chronic illnesses are slowly becoming more prevalent worldwide. The implications and ramifications of these illnesses vary and affect not only the patient but the entire household in many ways (Okediji et al., 2017). Chronic illnesses have been associated with disability and this can have serious economic implications on the individual and his/her family as they generally deprive individuals of their productivity and health potentials (Suhrcke et al., 2006). Chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, mental illnesses, and other non-communicable diseases have become major issues globally (WHO, 2011).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

It is well documented that in public health terms chronic diseases have come to “matter” in developing countries, where they impose a sizeable and growing disease burden (WHO 2001). The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project estimates that as of 2002, chronic or non-communicable conditions accounted for 54% of death in low and middle income countries compared with 36% attributed to communicable disease, material and perorated condition and nutritional deficiencies.

The WHO in June 2012 reported that between 56% and 19.4% of people worldwide have disabilities. The number has increase since the 1990, when 10% of the world population and disability, and are expected to continue rising due to improvement in medical care that transformed previously total illness, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS into chronic conditions.

According to WHO (2002), chronic disease create large adverse and under-appreciated economic effects of families communities and countries chronic diseases and poverty are interconnected in a vicious cycle. In almost all countries, it is the poorest people who are most at risk of developing chronic diseases and dying prematurely from them. Poor people are more vulnerable for several reasons to chronic illness, including greater exposure to risk and decreased access to health services. It is people and families who are already poor who are most likely to suffer because chronic diseases are likely to ruin family economic prospects.

Low income families can be divided into extreme poverty when household meet basic need barely met) and relative poverty (in which household income is than a proportion of average national income). All of this status adversely affects health. The share of chronic condition is predicted to risk to 65% by 2030 (maters and lancer, 2005).

Chronic diseases do not only affect the elderly and wealthy. Poor people and working age populations carry a significance share of the burden and risk factor of the chronic diseases. Chronic disease significantly affect economic for the individual, his or her family and general economy, affecting consumption and performance in the market.

As in other developing countries, chronic illness in Nigeria limits the young and old daily functional because of a chronic mental health or physical health condition. One member of a family with chronic illness influences the life of everyone in the family (WHO 2001). Chronic diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow profession.

According to world health organization (WHO 2005) Chronic illness such as heart diseases, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 63% of all death out of 36 million people who died from chronic diseases in 2008 nine million were under 60 years and ninety percent of these premature death occurred in low and middle income countries.

While medical science has made great strides in developing effective treatment for the physical effect of this disease, many victims still face a staggering challenge to this mental and emotional health, one of the biggest fears is the uncertainty associate with chronic diseases. The condition may be parodied; lasting only a short while or it could be permanent gradually worsening overtime. Chronic illness can force many potentially stressful lifestyle changes, such as giving up cherished activities, adapting to new physical limitations and special needs and paying for what can be expensive medication and treatment services.

In Singapore for example, chronic diseases are significant cause of illness and death. Chronic diseases have serious impact on individuals and on society in general. They affect the quality of life of individuals and can be a financial burden on those who are affected. A number of risk factor related to an individual lifestyle can contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Risk factor such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking are mostly modifiable.

Adapting healthy lifestyle practices such as a healthy diet, regular physical exercise and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the onset of debilitating and expensive complications of chronic diseases. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effects and Repercussions of Chronic Illnesses on Low Income Household.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the major health challenges facing people today is chronic illness most especially among families. Chronic illness is considered to be a major problem in the Nigeria health system today the group this illness is likely to affect most is low income earning group.

Despite the unambiguous predominance of chronic disease in sheer epidemiological terms, the economic dominions of the growing diseases burden have not be toughly documented particularly in the lower income group of families this generate the interest of the researcher.

Having seen that chronic illness could affect mostly the low income group among the people of Ikeduru; this prompted the researchers to investigate the socio economic impact of this chronic illness on the low in Ikedure Local Government Area of Imo State.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Effects and Repercussions of Chronic Illnesses on Low Income Household in Ikedure Local Government Area of Imo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To find out if inferiority complex is among the social impact of chronic diseases on low income earning families in the study area;
2. To determine the economic implications of chronic illnesses on households of patients in the area under study; and
3. To investigate if solution is among the social consequences of chronic disease on low income earning families in the area under review.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there solution to the social consequences of chronic disease on low income earning families in the area under review?
• What are the economic implications of chronic illnesses on households of patients in the area under study?
• What is the inferiority complex is among the social impact of chronic diseases on low income earning families in the study area?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant remedy to the consequences of chronic disease on low income earning families in the area under review
• H1: There is a significant remedy to the social consequences of chronic disease on low income earning families in the area under review

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There are no significant economic implications of chronic illnesses on households of patients in the area under study
• H1: There are significant economic implications of chronic illnesses on households of patients in the area under study

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1.7 Significance of Study

The result of the findings will be relevant to health care providers which have to correctly decide the moment when to introduce palliative care in the patient’s care program (McKinley, Stokes, Exley & Field, 2004).

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Investigation of the Effects and Repercussions of Chronic Illnesses on Low Income Household in Ikedure Local Government Area of Imo State.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Chronic Illnesses:

It is condition that limits daily activities, require ongoing medical attention, and persist for a year or longer.