Women’s well-being and reproductive health in Indian mining community: need for empowerment

Melba Sheila D’Souza,Ganesha Somayaji,Subrahmanya Nairy Karkada,Ramesh Venkatesaperumal

doi:10.1186/1742-4755-10-24

Melba Sheila D’Souza, Ganesha Somayaji + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-10-24

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Abstract

This paper is a qualitative study of women’s well-being and reproductive health status among married women in mining communities in India. An exploratory qualitative research design was conducted using purposive sampling among 40 selected married women in a rural Indian mining community. Ethical permission was obtained from Goa University. A semi-structured indepth interview guide was used to gather women’s experiences and perceptions regarding well-being and reproductive health in 2010. These interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, verified, coded and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Early marriage, increased fertility, less birth intervals, son preference and lack of decision-making regarding reproductive health choices were found to affect women’s reproductive health. Domestic violence, gender preference, husbands drinking behaviors, and low spousal communication were common experiences considered by women as factors leading to poor quality of marital relationship. Four main themes in confronting women’s well-being are poor literacy and mobility, low employment and income generating opportunities, poor reproductive health choices and preferences and poor quality of martial relationships and communication. These determinants of physical, psychological and cultural well-being should be an essential part of nursing assessment in the primary care settings for informed actions. Nursing interventions should be directed towards participatory approach, informed decision making and empowering women towards better health and well-being in the mining community.

Highlights

In India, the reproductive years for women are of central importance to their lives
Few attempts have been made to investigate the perceptions of Indian women living in mine communities about their well-being linked to reproductive health (RH)
The acquisition of private lands for mining and destruction of several forests led to women losing access to land based work opportunities with no alternative sources of income. They lost their economic and social status, and were not able to participate in agricultural activities and processing of forest products [28]

Summary

Introduction

In India, the reproductive years for women are of central importance to their lives. Women’s role in reproductive health (RH) is affected by, and could influence her status and empowerment as an individual [1]. The choice of livelihood, where to live, who to marry, number of children, freedom of movement and choice of friends are critical decisions for women which may empower them to become matriarchs of the family. In the coal mines of Orrisa women face discrimination and have limited choice regarding their health, safety and security [10,11]. In a study among 145 Indian women living in mining areas, women reported a loss of negotiating power, and poor health and well-being. In a study among 145 women in a mining community women had less decision making and reproductive health choices [12]. Spouses rather than the women themselves made reproductive choices about avoiding conception (40%), spacing (39%), number of children (39.3%), use of contraceptives (35.8%) and permanent family planning (33.1%) compared to women in the mining community [11].

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