Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Chatura Rasika Wijesundara WHO Sri Lanka Chatura Rasika Wijesundara 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies, Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Household Survey on the Impact of Economic Crisis - 2023 |
| Public title | Household Survey on the Impact of Economic Crisis - 2023 |
| Background | Sri Lanka is currently experiencing one of its biggest economic crises since the country's independence in 1948. As a result many households are struggling with a range of challenges in managing their daily activities, such as managing their income and other commitments. To solve the issue, multiple strategies have been tried at the household level as well, such as lowering spending, moving to optional products, and consuming fewer quantities than usual. The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has initiated a survey to determine how such strategies for coping are utilized at the household level. The proposed 2023 survey sampling methodology follows a similar design to the regular Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) administered by DCS every three years, the most recent of which was conducted in 2019. The 2023 survey is the only survey that collects information on health status and changes in health-seeking behaviour in response to the economic crisis in a way that allows comparisons from before and after crisis onset, in addition to regular survey questions measuring household expenditure on healthcare, utilisation of public health services and incidence of NCD. |
| Objectives | The primary goal of the study is to assess the economic impact of the economic crisis on Sri Lankan households since the previous HIES survey conducted in 2019. In line with the aforementioned goal, the survey is designed to provide more particular answers to the following concerns. i. The impact of the economic crisis on household income sources ii. How living styles have changed as a result of the economic crisis, with a focus on spending behaviors (with relevant Coping strategies) iii. The schedule was developed to cover the 10 main areas indicated below. Demographic information on household members: Preschool and school education information for household members Health information on household members Spending by family members Household labor force activities Individual and household earnings How the economic crisis impacted households Debt held by households Transfers from social security programs to households Information on food insecurity in household. |
| Study Methods | This will be a cross sectional survey conducted on a nationally representative sample. The sample size would be 6440 housing units. Stratified two-stage sample design will be used for the Survey. The Census Blocks (CBs) or enumeration areas developed for the Census of Population and Housing-2012 (the latest dicennial census, with the 2022 version postponed due to economic crisis) are the first stage sampling units, or Primary Sampling Units (PSUs). ii. The secondary sampling units (SSUs) are the housing units. An interviewer administered questionnaire will be used. Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewed (CAPI) method will be used for data collection. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Based on survey findings, it is expected that a survey report will be prepared and disseminated to all stakeholders. Additionally, it is intended to create a statistical bulletin that will be released prior to the survey report’s release and will contain the survey’s important findings. The proposed statistical bulletin will feature a dedicated chapter on the impact of the economic crisis on access to health services. WHO will also develop an additional survey report that provides comparison between key health indicators contained in the 2019 HIES and the 2023 survey, including incidence and severity of non-communicable disease, receipt of health-related social assistance payments and household health expenditure. |
| Keywords | economic crisis, poverty |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 15-Jul-2023 |
| End Date | 31-Dec-2023 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Department of Census and Statistics, Sr Lanka |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Health Systems Research |
| Research field(s) | Health Care Seeking/Utilization |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |