Original Research Article I Volume 8 I Issue 3 I 2022

Revisiting the Social Construct of Status in India: The Modified B.G. Prasad Socio-economic Status Classification (2022)

Deep Shikha, Vidisha Vallabh, Ruchi Juyal, Richa Sinha

The American Journal of Science and Medical Research, 2022, 8(3), 5-8

DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7226909

Abstract:

The Modified B.G Prasad Classification is a favoured socioeconomic status classification for epidemiological studies in India due to its simplicity but needs monthly updates and revision based on changing Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers base values due to changes in the cost of living and inflation. Socio-economic status greatly influences the distribution of health-related states and events in a community. To perform the necessary revisions in the classification, this paper illustrates the calculation of a multiplication factor and the inclusion of a new base value for the year 2016, in an easy-to-use formula. By inserting the appropriate values as given by the Indian Labour Bureau, values for the year 2022. The formula and the methodology for calculation of the socio-economic status can be used by researchers for future revisions in the B.G. Prasad Classification for socio-economic status

Keywords:

Socio-economic Status, Inflation, Cost of living, B.G Prasad Classification, Consumer Price Index

References:

  1. Wani R. Socioeconomic status scales-modified Kuppuswamy and Udai Pareekh’s scale updated for 2019. J Family Med Prim Care [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2022 Mar 16];8(6):1846. Available from:
  2. American Psychological Association Task Force on Socioeconomic Status. Report of the APA Task Force on Socioeconomic Status. Washington CD; 2007.
  3. Adler NE, Snibbe AC. The Role of Psychosocial Processes in Explaining the Gradient Between Socioeconomic Status and Health: https://doi.org/101111/1467-872101245 [Internet]. 2016 Jun 22 [cited 2022 Mar 16];12(4):119–23. Available from:
  4. Oakes JM, Rossi PH. The measurement of SES in health research: current practice and steps toward a new approach. Social Science & Medicine. 2003 Feb 1;56(4):769–84.
  5. Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 24th ed. Jabalpur: Banarasidas Bhanot; 2017.
  6. Dudala SR. Updated Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic scale for 2012. J Dr NTR Univ Health Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2022 Mar 16];2(3):201. Available from:
  7. Prosad BG. Changes proposed in the social classification of Indian families. J Indian Med Assoc. 1968 Sep 16;55(6):198–9.
  8. Kumar P. Social Classification - Need For Constant Updating. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 1993;18(2):60–1.
  9. Prasad BG. Social classification of Indian families. J Indian Med Assoc. 1961;37:250–1.
  10. Labour Bureau. Index Numbers Page [Internet]. Government of India. 2022 [cited 2022 Mar 16]. Available from: http://labourbureau.gov.in/LBO_indnum.htm

Article Dates:

Received: 18 June 2022; Accepted: 21 August, 2022; Published: 12 September, 2022

How To Cite:

Deep Shikha, Vidisha Vallabh, Ruchi Juyal, & Richa Sinha. (2022). Revisiting the Social Construct of Status in India: The Modified B.G. Prasad Socio-economic Status Classification (2022). The American Journal of Science and Medical Research, 8(3), 5–8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7226909

Download Full Paper: PDF

Logo