If reams
of studies have been done on AIDS and HIV, any research on their economic
impact on households has been amiss. Dr Savio P Falleiro set out to remedy this
when he commenced his PhD in 2008. By the time he completed his research in
2011, his studies not only covered entire Goa, but his findings were such that
some papers were published in the journals of Tata institute of Social Sciences
and his publisher’s SAGE Journal of Health Management. “The economic dimension
of AIDS/HIV has been studied in some detail by NACO (2006), but their matter
was different from mine. Goa had no studies/report on the subject at all. The
book has been the outcome of intense field-based research,” explains Dr
Falleiro, Vice Principal; Associate Professor and HOD Economics, Rosary College
of Commerce and Arts, Navelim.
In the
course of his study, some rare and newer nuances of the multi-dimensional
economic hardships faced by HIV/AIDS households came to light. “Some of my
findings have been rare and having no earlier literature as a point of
reference. I had to sometimes coin my own concepts like UUI (unrequited and
unrevealed income) to explain the third alternative income for households with
AIDS/HIV,” he says. Dr Falleiro’s findings, methodology and research design
adopted were unique enough to the extent that his publishers, SAGE, insisted
the book be published worldwide.
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Documenting
his findings with a comparative analysis of HIV and non-HIV households, Dr
Falleiro focused on three dimensions. “Goa is a moderate HIV prevalent state
which is bordered by high prevalent states like Karnataka and Maharashtra. In
my studies on the economic impact in Goa I focused on (1) Adverse effects on
income and employment of HIV positive households (18-60 years of age) (2) How
the rupee comes and goes in the positive households and a comparative analysis
with non-HIV households brings into perspective the gravity of the situation,
and (3) the economic impact on health and medical expenses,” he explains. The
book which has been released globally recently makes a more telling impact at a
time when Goa is facing the adverse fallouts of extreme stigma and
discrimination against HIV/AIDS students.
The book
is written keeping in mind the varied nature of its readership. While proving broad
nuances of HIV/AIDS to the general reader, it provides extensive data-based
information useful to researchers and deeper insights to government agencies
and NGOs.
