Cultural Concepts of Under Nutrition and Nutrition-Related Health Practices among Tribals of Mokhada Block in Palghar District, Maharashtra

Abstract

Behavioural research in malnutrition is weak on the experiences and the meaning attached to such experiences from the ‘emic’ viewpoint. Understanding factors responsible for under nutrition among tribal children from the ideologies and beliefs of local communities is important. This article focuses on local perceived causes of under nutrition among tribal communities. Qualitative study was undertaken to understand the local terminologies used to denote under nutrition, community's perception on under nutrition, its causes and the help seeking practices of the community on account of under nutrition. The study was undertaken in Mokhada block of Palghar district of Maharashtra. Data were collected through FGDs (n=7) with mothers of under 5 children, KIIs (n=12) with Anganwadi workers and IDIs (n=15) of mothers of undernourished children. A major cause for under nutrition in children as observed by community was lack of proper child care practices. Data revealed that needs of the community were substantially met by consumption of cereals and pulses which were grown on respondents farms mainly cultivated in monsoon; which declined drastically in summer. The benefits of government schemes though targeted at undernourished children were often shared by the entire household. Proscriptions of food items on account of traditional beliefs and practice of ‘Sidva’ both by mother and the child may be other factors contributing to under nutrition in these tribal communities. Findings highlight the need of designing nutrition interventions to address the entire household and emphasis should be given to appropriate nutrition education, without which distributing food, increasing income or introducing other interventions would have minimal effect.