Changes in Household Structure and Consumption Patterns among Households with HIV-positive members in Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic threatens the social structure of the most affected countries. Of all the units affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, individuals, households and families are the most affected. Evidence shows that the AIDS epidemic has serious effects on households. In addition to the social and psychological consequences, HIV infection poses a serious threat to the household economy. The HIV/AIDS epidemic can lead to a change in the composition of households, with the gradual disappearance of the parental generation and children cared for by grandparents and other relatives. In some cases, older children may act as surrogate parents for their younger siblings, leading to an increase in single-generation households headed by older children. The composition of many households is complex and changes over time. It is even more complicated when the head of the household, usually a man, becomes infected with HIV, becomes ill and in many cases dies. This also leads to shifting dynamics within households. There are a number of ways in which HIV and AIDS can affect the level and pattern of household consumption and ultimately have a detrimental impact on individual sectors. The analysis shows that households with HIV members spend a large part of their monthly consumption expenditure on medicines. Almost 12.53 percent of the total consumption expenditure of households with HIV is devoted to medical expenses in the post-symptomatic stage which is much higher than the expenditure on Education. This confirms the general idea in the literature that HIV and AIDS can affect children's education. As nutritious and balanced foods are important to ensure longer and healthier lives for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), it is important to determine whether these households spend less on food, or not, even in absolute terms, in the post-symptomatic stage. The policy response must include an appropriate balance between targeted health insurance interventions and social security systems to protect households with HIV+ members from impoverishment due to HIV-related illnesses.