A Study on the Health Condition of Women of the Birhor Tribe of Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh State

Abstract

Health is an important part of human development for people’s lives. In addition, there is a significant gap in tribal areas’ access to healthcare services and health infrastructure. The present study aims to know the perception of Birhor tribal women about the causes of their illness and to identify the methods of their treatment. The study was carried out in Koyalari, Semaria, Shaktibahra, and Umaria villages under the Kota block of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state. Primary data were collected from 116 women of the Birhor tribe. The data were analyzed using suitable statistical tools. The majority of the respondents (68.97%) reported a lack of current and past health problems, which is indicative of very good health, however, of those respondents who had health problems most had frailty-related problems. The reliance on traditional treatment methods, especially Vaidyas, highlights the lack of education and access to medical facilities. Moreover, the majority of respondents (38.79%) said that they give first preference to Vaidya for their health-related treatment, followed by respondents who prefer quack doctors (35.34%), Baigas (21.55%), and qualified doctors (2.59%).