To ensure health care access among the vulnerable and the poor is the prerogative of the State since the financial burden of curative care is higher among lower income groups, most of whom are Dalits. In the last 70 years, India has achieved considerable improvement in the health of its people. Nonetheless, the gap across social groups remains wide. There is evident association of low health status with poor, female gender, rural place of residence, tribal ethnicity, scheduled castes (SC) and specific minority groups. Therefore, the need is to revisit policy implementation regime and environment to ensure health equity. This article aims at explaining pertinent healthcare issues and challenges through select indicators of health, poverty, illness-induced expenditure and coping mechanisms across social groups.
Concern for public health has been growing with the increasing volume of cases of COVID-19 in India. To combat this pandemic, India has implemented nationwide lockdowns, and unlocking phases continue with certain restrictions in different parts of the country. The lockdown has required people to adopt social-distance measures to minimize contacts in order to reduce the risks of additional infection. Nevertheless, the lockdown has already impacted economic activities and other dimensions of the health of individuals and society. Although many countries have helped their people through advanced welfare protection networks and numerous support aids, several emerging economies face specific difficulties to adapt to the pandemic due to vulnerable communities and scarce resources. However, certain lower-income countries need more rigorous analysis to implement more effective strategies to combat COVID-19. Accordingly, the current systematic review addresses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in India in relation to health and the economy. This work also provides further information on health inequalities, eco-nomic and social disparities in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns and also contributes pragmatic suggestions for overcoming these challenges. These observations will be useful to the relevant local and national officials for improving and adopting novel strategies to face lockdown challenges
ObjectivesThe major objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of labour room violence (LRV) (one of the forms of obstetric violence) faced by the women during the time of delivery in Uttar Pradesh (UP) (the largest populous state of India which is also considered to be a microcosm of India). Furthermore, this study also analyses the association between prevalence of obstetric violence and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents.DesignThe study was longitudinal in design with the first visit to women made at the time of first trimester. The second visit was made at the time of second trimester and the last visit was made after the delivery. However, we have continuously tracked women over phone to keep record of developments and adverse consequences.SettingsUrban and rural areas of UP, India.ParticipantsSample of 504 pregnant women was systematically selected from the Integrated Child Development Scheme Register of pregnant women.OutcomeWe aimed to assess the levels and determinants of LRV using data collected from 504 pregnant women in a longitudinal survey conducted in UP, India. The dataset comprised three waves of survey from the inception of pregnancy to childbirth and postnatal care. Logistic regression model has been used to assess the association between prevalence of LRV faced by the women at the time of delivery and their background characteristics.ResultAbout 15.12% of women are facing LRV in UP, India. Results from logistic regression model (OR) show that LRV is higher among Muslim women (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 4.3) relative to Hindu women (OR 1). The prevalence of LRV is higher among lower castes relative to general category, and is higher among those women who have no mass media exposure (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 12.8) compared with those who have (OR 1).ConclusionIn comparison with global evidence, the level of LRV in India is high. Women from socially disadvantaged communities are facing higher LRV than their counterparts.
The progress of Indigenous people or the Scheduled Tribes (STs) on developmental indicators is much poor than expected, especially their status of health. They report the highest mortality and malnutrition, low level of obstetric care, and are also among the poorest users of healthcare services in the country. This study examines the prevalence of acute and chronic morbidities and treatment-seeking behaviour among the ST in India. Second wave of India Human Development Survey (IHDS-2) data, 2011–2012, has been used in the study. Considering that culture and religion shape the demographic and health outcomes of people, this article has tried to seek a deeper understanding on morbidity and health-seeking behaviour by categorising the ST into four tribo-religious groups: namely, Hindu ST, Christian ST, Indigenous ST and the rest along ethnicity and religion lines. The study found evidence of an early epidemiologic transition in tribal areas and associated increase in the incidence of chronic and lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma. Other emerging concerns are prevalence of high untreated morbidity, dependence on private healthcare providers and increasing dependence on pharmacists among the ST.
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