On $p$-deficiency in groups

Recently, Schlage-Puchta proved super multiplicity of $p$-deficiency for normal subgroups of $p$-power index. We extend this result to all normal subgroups of finite index. We then use the methods of the proof to show that some groups with non-positive $p$-deficiency have virtually positive $p$-deficiency. We also compute the $p$-deficiency in some cases such as Fuchsian groups and study related invariants: the lower and upper absolute $p$-homology gradients and the $p$-Euler characteristic.