Tharu And Buksa Tribes’ Attitudes Toward Child And Maternal Health And Educational Services In Uttarakhand: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Despite the government of India's admirable efforts to assist tribal people and help them develop, they are unable to resolve their problems. Even today, many tribal problems persist in India. The aim of this paper is to explore attitudes and barriers toward child health, maternal health, and educational services in two tribal populations, i.e., the Tharu and the Buksa, in Uttarakhand. In March 2016, qualitative research was conducted through a self-developed questionnaire. This interview schedule is being used to assess the concept and usage of child and maternal healthcare services and educational services with samples aged 25 to 50 years from the Tharu (50) and the Buksa (50) tribes of Uttarakhand. The study found that the primary barriers to utilizing healthcare facilities are direct and indirect financial barriers; travel distances to medical facilities; subpar public transportation; hospital staff members perceived to act negatively toward patients; and inadequate infrastructure. The location of schools, weak economic conditions, lack of awareness, medium of language, geographical conditions, and discrimination were found to be the barriers to utilizing educational services. The study's conclusion draws attention to the obstacles that patients face in using healthcare facilities; these obstacles are not always caused by the patient's socioeconomic situation but also heavily dependent on other contextual factors and the standard of the medical care being provided. The difficulties in using educational services are also highlighted.