Awareness of Indian government initiated social security schemes utilization among villagers of Kanpur rural region: An evaluative cross sectional study

CONTEXT: In India, the use of social security schemes by the rural population has not been evaluated with much consideration. The awareness of these social security programs plays a vital role in their use. AIMS: This research was conducted to evaluate the awareness among the rural population regarding government-initiated social security schemes and to provide recommendations based on the results of the study. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural health care center. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A sample of 250 individuals in the rural health care center of a dental college was subjected to a questionnaire regarding the awareness of the government-launched social security schemes—Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The study data were analyzed by Epi Info™ 7 software package. Descriptive statistics were assessed and differences between the two groups were compared using the Chi-square test and the P value of < 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: In the present study, 212 rural people were aware of any one of the recently initiated social security schemes, and the awareness level of these social security schemes was higher in those with age more than 30 years, males, literates, and classes 3 and 4 economic groups of population. CONCLUSIONS: The rural population’s knowledge of the government’s social security schemes is strong, and it is affected by people’s age, gender, literacy level, and socioeconomic status.