Morbidity Profile and Burden of Disease of Rural Households in Barpeta District of Assam: A Cross-sectional Study from an Economic Perspective

Abstract

Background: Understanding morbidity patterns among rural households is important for interpreting potential implications for household welfare and health-resource needs. This study examined self-reported morbidity among residents of selected rural areas of Barpeta district, Assam, from a health-economics perspective. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey covered 400 households and 1,813 individuals. Descriptive statistics summarised morbidity status, duration, disease groups, severity, disability and hospitalisation. Bivariate tests assessed associations between morbidity and demographic, socio-economic and geographical characteristics. Results: Of the sampled individuals, 1,542 (85.05%) reported morbidity. Acute conditions accounted for 1,222 individuals (79.25% of those reporting morbidity), while 320 (20.75%) reported chronic conditions. Communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions comprised 63.75% of reported morbidity; non-communicable conditions comprised 33.66%, and injuries and accidents 2.59%. Fever was the leading reported illness (25.29%). Median illness duration was 10 days, whereas mean duration was 66.6 days. Medium severity was reported by 52.66% of affected individuals, disability by 0.71% and hospitalisation by 7.13%. Overall morbidity was significantly associated with age, Development Block, education, occupation and household size, but not with gender, income, religion or social group. Conclusion: The findings describe a substantial self-reported illness burden in the sampled households. Potential effects on household productivity and welfare warrant further assessment, as expenditure and productivity losses were not directly measured. Further research should examine local differences in morbidity alongside treatment costs, healthcare access and time lost to illness.