Utilization of Benefits under Nikshay Poshan Yojana by Tuberculosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, India

Introduction: Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was launched in 2018 to meet nutritional needs of tuberculosis patients. Objectives: 1. To assess the utilization pattern of monetary benefits under NPY among tuberculosis (TB) patients. 2. To explore the determinants of correct utilization of monetary benefits among TB patients. Method: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among TB patients (480) across 32 TB units of Ahmedabad. Fifteen TB patients from each TB unit who had received monetary benefits under the NPY were selected purposively and information regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) utilization were collected through one-on-one interviews. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS, employing chi square statistics and logistic regression to identify the predictors of utilization. : Among all the participants, only 394 (82%) patients utilized the received monetary benefit. Six (1%) participants didn’t utilise the monetary benefit despite receiving it while 80 (17%) participants were unaware about the received monetary benefits. Among those who utilized the monetary benefit, 289 (73.3%) participants used it for nutritional supplementation while 105 (26.7%) used it for non-nutritional purposes. Previously treated TB patients (AOR=0.164; p<0.001) and presence of food insecurity (AOR=2.322; p<0.001) were found to be the main determinants of correct utilization of monetary benefit. Conclusion: A significant proportion of beneficiaries utilized DBT for nutritional purposes, but a considerable number either spent on non-nutritional needs or were unaware about the received benefit. Type of TB case and food security status were found to be the key predictors of intended utilization of benefits received.