Economic and Social Vulnerability of Chronic Kidney Disease Affected Families in Sri Lanka; the Case Studies in Anuradhapura District

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of economic and social vulnerability of the families which has affected by the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Central Dry Zone, agricultural area, of Sri Lanka. CKD has already become one of the major reasons for mortality and morbidity in this rural area. This CKD was first identified in 1991 in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province (NCP) in Dry Zone, and it has spread-out to other 06 provinces in Sri Lanka. WHO says that about 15 % of settlers aged 15-70 years in NCP is being suffered by CKD. During the last 24 years over 22,000 deaths were reported due to the CDK. After affected the CKD and/or the deaths a member or members of family, their family‟s economic and social sustainability is begun to collapse. This is the beginning point of their economic vulnerability. This situation excludes their life from the general social and economic life style. This research has focused these economic and social problems of these families and their nature of issues. Finally, the study makes the recommendations to sustain their lives and mainstream the members of these families. This is inductive study and uses both qualitative and quantitative data and information for evidence. 25 affected families out of 70 total families were selected as a sample from the village of Etambagaskada in Medawachchiya Divisional Secretariat Division. All the family members of the sample are negatively impacted and they are unable to sustain themselves. Just after the affection, they give up the hope of life, and their family members become hopeless and directionless. This situation leads to create more vulnerability to the family and their villages. Especially designed counselling process and the economic assistance are needed to avoid vulnerability. This intervention should come from the government end but still it is not good enough.