Context:
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted the first exclusive all-India survey on AYUSH.
Key findings of the survey
- This survey was conducted from July 2022 to June 2023 as part of the 79th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).
- Approximately 95% of rural and 96% of urban respondents are aware of AYUSH.
- At least one member is aware of medicinal plants, home remedies, local health traditions, and folk medicine in about 85% of rural and 86% of urban households.
- Around 46% of rural and 53% of urban individuals used Ayush for the prevention or treatment of ailments in the past 365 days.
- Ayurveda is the most commonly used system across both rural and urban areas for treatment.
Use of Ayush system of medicines refers to the use of one or more of the system(s) of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy for treatment/cure of diseases/ailments or prevention of diseases - Ayush is primarily used for rejuvenation and preventive care.
What is AYUSH?
- Ayush is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy.
- Ayush systems of medicine include Indian systems of medicine and Homoeopathy.
Objectives of the survey
The broad objectives of the survey were to collect information on:
- Awareness of people about the traditional system of healthcare, i.e. Ayush system of medicine.
- Uses of Ayush for prevention or treatment of ailments,
- Awareness of the households about home remedies, medicinal plants, and local health traditions/folk medicine.
Conceptual Framework of the Survey
A member of the household aged 15 years or more has been considered as “aware of Ayush” if one or more of the following are fulfilled:
- If he/she has taken treatment using the Ayush system of medicines.
- If he/she has heard about any of the Ayush system from family, friends, medical practitioners, Media (TV, radio, hoardings, newspapers, etc.), Research Articles, textbooks, etc.
- If he/she is aware of medicinal plants or plants having medicinal value, home remedies or traditional practices/folk practices for treatment or prevention.
- If he is engaged by profession to Ayush healthcare centres/service providers in any one of the categories: Registered Medical Practitioner, Unregistered Medical Practitioner, Midwife, Masseurs, Pharmacists, Yoga instructor, Panchakarma Therapists, Cupping Therapists etc. or involved in production/manufacturing of Ayush medicines.