Morbidity and Treatment-seeking Behaviour Among Scheduled Tribe in India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

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.