Health Status and Healthcare Care-seeking Behavior: A Study of Tribal Communities in Bijadandi Block in Mandla District

Abstract

Background: Despite significant advancements in the medical field, the health status of India's tribal population remains a concern, which was equally prevalent 25 years ago. Tribes still face numerous health issues, including malaria, infections, sickle-cell anemia, and nutritional deficiencies. Hence, this study tried to examine the morbidity status and treatment seeking behaviors of tribal communities. Method and Material: A primary survey was conducted among 300 rural tribal households in Bijadandi block in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. The purposive sampling was applied to select the household for collecting information on morbidity treatment history, place of treatment and reasons for not treating. For this study a structured interview schedule was used in the studied field. The primary survey was conducted from August to November 2019. Result: The study found that nearly three-fifths had suffered from morbidities within the last 365 days prior to the survey which is higher experienced by 60 & above age groups, female, below primary schooling, farmer and housewife, and or widowed. Fever and cold cough prevalence were higher among tribes. Around 90 percent have received treatment during ill/sick. However, nearly two-fifths had received treatment from public healthcare centers while about three-fifth had received from private healthcare centers. Healthcare provider’s behavior was found to be not suitable for the tribes, with discriminatory practices reported at public healthcare centers. This has led to a lack of desire for public healthcare services utilization, which is a significant obstacle affecting government healthcare services utilization in tribal areas. The study also highlighted the emergence of intermediate diseases, such as paralysis, resulting from smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: In general, the research indicates the importance of directing attention towards the health and socio-economic welfare, along with interpersonal interactions between healthcare service providers and tribal or vulnerable communities. Currently, tribes are expressing worries regarding their healthcare and medical care. Consequently, the central emphasis should align with the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) principle of 'leaving no one behind,' placing a primary focus on enhancing the health and socio-economic well-being of both tribes and other susceptible groups. Key words: Tribes, Morbidity, Medical Care-seeking Behavior, Madhya Pradesh, Mandla