Obstacles to Acquire Modern Medical Institutional Facility with Special Reference to Maternal Health Care among Tribals of South Bastar in Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Introduction: The Maternal Mortality Ratio of Chhattisgarh is 269 (SRS 2010-11) which are higher than the National average (178). If we analyze the state wise data of MMR we found that Chhattisgarh is fourth in position amongst all states of India. Maternal and child health care is an important aspect of health seeking behaviour which is largely neglected among the tribal groups (Basu et al., 1990). It has been seen that inspite of a lot of government incentive programmes for women health care and development, some obstacles create obstruction to acquire modern medical institutional facilities. It is a burning concern for the development because the problems of tribal women differ from a particular area to another area owing to their geographical location, historical background and the processes of social change (Chauhan, A., 1990). Objectives: The study concerned with the objective of understanding the gap between government modern health facilities and tribal women with special reference to maternal health care. Study Area: For the study purpose tribal dominating villages of south Bastar, Chhattisgarh was selected. Chhattisgarh is known as 10th largest state of India where Bastar is known as its rich and uniqueness of bio-cultural diversity in the whole world. Methodology: Random sampling technique was the key instrument for selecting sample as well as Snowball sampling is also used to identify a few households where maternal and infant related problems occurred through some key informants in the village and ask each of them to identify households where maternal problems have occurred. Questionnaire on different variables of knowledge, attitudes, belief and opinion about government health institution were organised by direct interview. Along with above semi participatory observation was strength for the data collection. Result: The findings stated that the acceptance of modern institutional health facilities is poor amongst tribal people. In addition, a lot of females suffered from ill health due to pregnancy and childbirth in the absence of a well defined concept of health consciousness. Conclusion: The health problems of mothers arise as a result of synergistic effects of malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy, unhygienic living conditions, infections and unregulated fertility. Apart from that superstitious beliefs play an essential obstruction to acquire modern medical facilities. At the same time, poor infrastructure and ineffective public health services is also responsible for low inadequate obstetric care. Keywords: Maternal mortality; Seeking behavior; Modern medical institutional; Tribal women; Superstitious beliefs.