Non-tribal Areas Research Articles

Socioeconomic and regional patterns of child nutritional inequality between tribal and non-tribal communities in India: An analysis based on National Family Health Survey 5 (2019–21)

Background: Despite India’s impressive economic growth and the implementation of a large-scale antimalnutrition program, the country continues to face the highest levels of child malnutrition globally. Among the affected children, half of those under the age of 3 years, in both tribal and nontribal populations, are underweight, while a third of the wealthiest children experience overnutrition. Economic inequality plays a significant role in contributing to malnutrition in both tribal and nontribal communities. Therefore, utilizing data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), the present study aims to examine the socioeconomic disparities in childhood malnutrition across all 640 districts of India, with a specific focus on tribal and nontribal populations. Methods: The analysis includes a sample of children aged 0 to 59 months from tribal and nontribal communities. Sociodemographic, personal, clinical, and environmental factors are considered as independent variables. The outcomes of interest include stunting, wasting, and underweight, which are assessed using binary variables. Linear modeling are used to determine the associations between the independent variables and child undernutrition. Results: The study reported a negative Z value (−4.763), indicating greater overall inequality in the tribal population compared to the nontribal population. In terms of odds ratios, females had lower odds of being underweight in both tribal and nontribal populations. Children aged 1 to 2 years had higher odds of being underweight compared to those aged 1 year. The duration of breastfeeding showed varying associations, with breastfeeding for 7 to 12 months increased the risk of underweight in nontribal areas, while longer durations (13–24 and >24 months) were associated with higher chances of wasting in nontribal areas. Higher maternal age at first birth, higher education levels, and sufficient antenatal care visits were protective factors against underweight in both populations. A higher wealth index consistently correlated with reduced odds of underweight in both tribal and nontribal populations. Institutional delivery was associated with higher odds of underweight in tribal areas but lower odds in nontribal areas. Conclusion: The study concludes that in order to address the socioeconomic disparities contributing to stunting, wasting, and undernutrition among tribal populations, targeted interventions are required. These interventions should focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, particularly among tribal communities. Additionally, policies should aim to reduce income inequality and promote inclusive economic development, ensuring that the benefits of progress are equitably distributed across all population groups. By addressing these socioeconomic factors, it is possible to improve the nutritional status and overall well-being of tribal populations.

Factors Contributing to the Economic Benefits of Neighbourhood Groups of Kudumbashree in Kerala

The empirical study identified the significant factors contributing to the economic benefits of the NHGs of Kudumbashree in the tribal and non-tribal areas. The study was conducted in the district of Palakkad, Kerala. The identified factors were income earning, credit availability, transparency and collateral security. The study found that some factors' influence was common, and others differed between study areas. But these differences were minimal, which was unique in the social context of Kerala. The study suggested the need to adopt area-specific strategies while targeting the economic policies for SHGs.

Attitude and Awareness of Mothers Regarding Child Rearing Practices in Tribal and Non-Tribal Areas of Himachal Pradesh

Child rearing refers to nurturing of children by mother and is perhaps the most demanding duty for a mother. Effective child rearing is vital for child's complete development. Socio-economic milieu and cultural beliefs determine the child rearing practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a view of evaluating mother’s attitude and level of awareness about child rearing practices in selected pockets of tribal and non-tribal areas of Himachal. Mother is an important primary care giver and, thus, she should able to take care of her baby and develop a positive attitude towards child rearing practices, which help the child to be psychologically and socially strong. The study concludes that a few poor infant rearing practices still prevail so healthcare delivery system can play an important role to help the mothers to up bring their children.

Attitude and Awareness of Mothers Regarding Child Rearing Practices in Tribal and Non-Tribal Areas of Himachal Pradesh

Attitude and Awareness of Mothers Regarding Child Rearing Practices in Tribal and Non-Tribal Areas of Himachal Pradesh

The tribal digital divide: Extent and Explanations

This paper documents home Internet access, types of Internet access, connection speeds, and prices for basic home Internet in tribal areas of the United States. We find that the share of households with Internet access is 21 percentage points lower in tribal areas than in neighboring non-tribal areas. When compared to these non-tribal areas, download speeds, whether measured using fixed or mobile broadband networks, are approximately 75% slower in tribal areas, while the lowest price for basic Internet services in tribal areas is 11% higher. Regression techniques reveal that traditional cost factors such as terrain and population density fully explain the price gap but account for only a fraction of the tribal differences in Internet access and connection speeds. Income differences are strong predictors of Internet access but do not affect connection speeds. A sizable amount of the variation in the access and home connection gap between tribal and non-tribal is left unexplained. We conclude with a discussion of how federal broadband programs have penetrated Indian Country, how tribal-specific factors are related to the variation in Internet access within Indian Country, and the potential policy implications of our findings.

A longitudinal analysis of broadband provision in tribal areas

While disparities in broadband in rural areas are well documented, little research exists about broadband in tribal communities. This gap means we lack information about the trajectory of broadband deployment in tribal areas. It also means we lack comparative information about the similarities or differences in the trajectory of broadband deployment in tribal areas compared to non-tribal areas (e.g. urban and rural areas). To address this gap in our knowledge, this study utilizes longitudinal tract data constructed from information in the FCC Form 477 database to analyze broadband provision in tribal areas from 2014 to 2020. Empirical results show that rural tribes may be falling further behind the rest of the nation in broadband provision, while metropolitan tribal areas now enjoy better provision levels, on average, than their non-tribal counterparts. Additionally, the nuances of broadband distributions across tribal, rural, and urban areas make clear that a one-size-fits-all policy to aid tribal communities is inappropriate to address these and other related challenges. This is especially true as concerns about the intersection of federal broadband policy with tribal sovereignty and self-determination emerge.

Poverty Incidence and Income Inequality in the Tribal and Non-tribal Areas of Central Gujarat

The present investigation undertook to study the poverty incidence and income distribution among poor and non-poor in the tribal and nontribal areas applying headcount index and the Gini index and Lorenz curve. The headcount index showed the proportion of poor households. It showed that poverty was higher in the tribal area than in non-tribal regions. Incidence of poverty was higher in marginal farm households, followed by landless agricultural labour and small farm households. Income inequalities were depicted by the Gini coefficient and presented in graphical form by the Lorenz curve. It showed that total income was distributed more equally among poor and non-poor people in the tribal area than in non-tribal regions. It was also observed that in the tribal district, poor and non-poor households had the same proportion of inequality. It was suggested to focus on creating employment opportunities through programmes like MGNREGA to eliminate poverty in particular tribal areas.

Defluoridation of water with a coagulant, Strychnos potatorum L. seed –agglutinin

The aim of the present study is to assess the suitability of Strychnos potatorum L. seed protein for defluoridation of potable water. Protein was isolated from Strychnos potatorum L. seed by using Ammonium sulphate precipitation method and coagulation activity was confirmed. Later the extracted protein was used for defluoridation studies of aqueous fluoride solution and real potable water. The effect of three parameters including pH, time and coagulant dosage of protein on the fluoride removal were studied in fluoride aqueous solution. About 52 potable water samples in and around Kodaikanal were collected from tribal and non-tribal areas and water quality was assessed. The exceeding amount of fluoride among 5 water samples was found when compared with BIS standard for drinking water and subjected to defluoridation process with coagulant protein. Strychnos potatorum L. seed coagulant protein removed about 75% of fluoride from aqueous fluoride solution (2 ppm) by 2 h treatment time, at 6.6 pH with 0.1 g of coagulant dose, treatment. Potable water defluoridation also showed 75% of fluoride reduction with 0.1 g of coagulant dose treatment. Seed characterization was performed using GC–MS and FT-IR, also proteomic studies carried out using MALDI-TOF. The seed coagulant protein showed, horcolin, a lectin type agglutinin protein (15.1 kDa) with 146 amino acid residues. This study suggests, the horcolin agglutinin protein in seeds is capable to remove fluoride effectively from drinking water samples due to the presence of its metal binding sites. • Strychnos potatorum L. seed coagulant protein was introduced for defluoridation. • Effect of pH, time and dosage on fluoride removal of aqueous solution was studied. • Seed coagulant defluorinated maximum 75% of fluoride from water samples. • FT-IR and GC–MS confirmed amide group for defluoridation and antioxidant property. • Coagulant horcolin protein was identified at 15.1 kDa with 146 amino acids.

Poverty Situation in Tribal and Non-tribal Area of Gujarat, India

The present investigation undertook to study the extent of poverty in the tribal and non-tribal areas applying the FGT index. Results showed that overall poverty was higher in the tribal area as compared to non-tribal areas. Among farm sectors in the tribal and non-tribal area, the highest poverty in marginal farm households was followed by landless agricultural labors and small farm households. The overall poverty gap index revealed, on average, 11 percent and 4 percent of the poverty line cash transfer needed to lift each poor person out of poverty in tribal and non-tribal areas, respectively. The value of the squared poverty gap index showed poverty was less severe in non-tribal areas. The poverty line’s average expenditure gap shows poor of tribal areas were more flawed than the poor of non-tribal regions in Central Gujarat. Overall expenditure of poor households on food items constituted maximum share followed by non-food items, medical and education in the tribal and non-tribal area. In tribal regions, both poor and non-poor people were spending more on intoxicant and tobacco products than non-tribal areas. The government should give regular employment to inadequate household programs like MGNREGA. There is a dire need to make an awareness program to control the use of intoxicants and tobacco in general for both the area and particularly in tribal areas because they were spending more on these items.

Social Impact of Women SHGs: A Study of NHGs of ‘Kudumbashree’ in Kerala

Historically, the role of ‘self-help groups’ (SHGs) has been highlighted by different authors. The term used widely as cooperation for survival. SHGs play a significant role in transforming the rural economy. Its unprecedented growth helps the resurgence of the weaker section of society in terms of outreach, social position and sustainability. Among different SHGs, ‘Kudumbashree’ of Kerala constitute the largest women SHGs in India. The Government of Kerala launched the programme for poor women on 17 May 1998. Grassroots of ‘Kudumbashree’ are ‘Neighbourhood Groups’ (NHGs). Kudumbashree functions through NHGs. The present study analyses the social impact of NHGs by taking samples from the tribal and non-tribal areas in the district of Palakkad, Kerala. A detailed survey conducted among 600 respondents with identified social variables. The outcome of the study reveals that NHGs have created a social platform for women to improve social activities and strengthen its members’ social bondage. The social impacts in tribal and non-tribal areas differ for certain social variables and do not vary with others. Overall, the study highlights the need for promoting the role of NHGs as a means of ‘social change’ for strengthening the socialization process of women.

Time motion study using mixed methods to assess service delivery by frontline health workers from South India: methods

BackgroundIn India, amidst the increasing number of health programmes, there are concerns about the performance of frontline health workers (FLHW). We assessed the time utilisation and factors affecting the work of frontline health workers from South India.MethodsThis is a mixed methods study using time and motion (TAM) direct observations and qualitative enquiry among frontline/community health workers. These included 43 female and 6 male multipurpose health workers (namely, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and male-MPHWs), 12 nutrition and health workers (Anganwadi workers, AWWs) and 53 incentive-based community health workers (accredited social health activists, ASHAs). We conducted the study in two phases. In the formative phase, we conducted an in-depth inductive investigation to develop observation checklists and qualitative tools. The main study involved deductive approach for TAM observations. This enabled us to observe a larger sample to capture variations across non-tribal and tribal regions and different health cadres. For the main study, we developed GPRS-enabled android-based application to precisely record time, multi-tasking and field movement. We conducted non-participatory direct observations (home to home) for consecutively 6 days for each participant. We conducted in-depth interviews with all the participants and 33 of their supervisors and relevant officials. We conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) with ASHAs and one FGD with ANMs to validate preliminary findings. We established a mechanism for quality assurance of data collection and analysis. We analysed the data separately for each cadre and stratified for non-tribal and tribal regions.ResultsOn any working day, the ANMs spent median 7:04 h, male-MPHWs spent median 5:44 h and AWWs spent median 6:50 h on the job. The time spent on the job was less among the FLHWs from tribal areas as compared to those from non-tribal areas. ANMs and AWWs prioritised maternal and child health, while male-MPHWs were involved in seasonal diseases and school health. ASHAs visited homes to provide maternal health, basic curative care, and follow-up of tuberculosis patients. The results describe issues related with work planning, time management and several systemic, community-based and personnel factors affecting work of FLHWs.ConclusionTAM study with mixed methods can help researchers as well as managers to periodically review work patterns, devise appropriate job responsibilities and improve the efficiency of health workers.

Food Environments around American Indian Reservations: A Mixed Methods Study.

ObjectivesTo describe the food environments experienced by American Indians living on tribal lands in California.MethodsGeocoded statewide food business data were used to define and categorize existing food vendors into healthy, unhealthy, and intermediate composite categories. Distance to and density of each of the composite food vendor categories for tribal lands and nontribal lands were compared using multivariate linear regression. Quantitative results were concurrently triangulated with qualitative data from in-depth interviews with tribal members (n = 24).ResultsAfter adjusting for census tract-level urbanicity and per capita income, results indicate there were significantly fewer healthy food outlets per square mile for tribal areas compared to non-tribal areas. Density of unhealthy outlets was not significantly different for tribal versus non-tribal areas. Tribal members perceived their food environment negatively and reported barriers to the acquisition of healthy food.ConclusionsUrbanicity and per capita income do not completely account for disparities in food environments among American Indians tribal lands compared to nontribal lands. This disparity in access to healthy food may present a barrier to acting on the intention to consume healthy food.

Goat marketing practices in tribal and non tribal areas of central Gujarat

Astudy was conducted in the tribal and non-tribal areas of Panchmahals district of central Gujarat during the year 2011–13. The data for study were collected from a total of 240 households (120 from each group) by adopting the proportionate random sampling method. In both the areas, majority of goat rearers sold their male kid @ Rs. 500 at 3 months, followed by Rs 1500 at 6 months and Rs 2500 at 12 months of age. Females were sold @ Rs. 2000 at one year to 3500 at 2 years of age. It was also observed that farmers sold their goats to petty traders in villages. The results of study indicated that in the present system of marketing both the consumers and the producers were affected whereas butchers and middle men were benefited.

Delivery Safety of Women from Tribal and Non-tribal Areas, in the State of Maharashtra, India

Aims: The study was conducted to obtain information about place and mode of child delivery and compare unsafe deliveries between tribal and non-tribal areas. Study Design: This was a retrospective study with the follow up of registered pregnant women in the Primary Health Centers (PHC). Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the PHCs of the State of Maharashtra, India. They were divided into two groups, tribal and non-tribal. The study was carried out in 2009-10. Method: A format was prepared to obtain details of delivery of children by women. The Auxiliary Nurse Midwives filled the format for all the pregnant women registered during calendar year 2008, through house to house visits in their respective areas. Results: More than one million pregnancies were registered. There were 21.88% home deliveries, of which 6.96% were not attended by a skilled birth attendant. About 5% of the babies were delivered through Cesarean section. The proportion of home deliveries (46.79%) and the absence of a skilled birth health professional (16.19%) were significantly higher in tribal areas. Even in institutional deliveries, interventional assistance was offered to lesser extent in these areas. The relative risk of undergoing unsafe delivery was 3.25 (95%, C.I. 3.20-3.29) in tribal PHCs. The district wise analysis Original Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(27): 4570-4581, 2014 4571 also supported the findings that home deliveries and overall unsafe deliveries were more in tribal districts. Conclusion: The study concludes that substantial number of women from tribal areas is exposed to unsafe deliveries.

Studies on <i>Armigeres subalbatus</i> Mosquitoes in Tribal and Non-tribal Areas of Bankura District, West Bengal, India

Armigeres subalbatus is known to be the vector of parasites for many human diseases like malaria, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis etc. Indoor-resting and man-landing collections were made for one year both from tribal and non-tribal areas of Bankura district, West Bengal, India. In tribal area indoor-resting collection of Ar. subalbatus in one year was only 18 (1.65% of the total catch) with man-hour density (MHD) of 0.38 and in non-tribal area the figure was 489 (14.82%) with MHD of 10.19. A total of 37 Ar. subalbatus (0.62% of total catch) with MHD of 0.06 were caught off man baits from indoor and outdoor locations in tribal area and the number was 3177 (16.71%) in non-tribal areas with MHD of 5.52. Indoor-resting and man-landing collections were highest in October in tribal area and in April in non-tribal area. The maximum number of Ar. subalbatus came in contact with man in first and fourth quadrants of both day and night. No human parasite including filarial one was detected within this mosquito throughout the year long study period (August 2009 - July 2010) in both the areas.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in rural Maharashtra, India (2008-09): a retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundThe study was carried out to record adverse pregnancy outcomes and to obtain information about sex ratio at birth in rural especially tribal areas in the State of Maharashtra, India. Although the tribal population is considered vulnerable to innumerable adversities, regretfully information about pregnancy wastage among them is not available. About 10% population of the state is tribal. The study of sex ratio at birth was planned as the overall sex ratio and child sex ratio had declined in the state.MethodsThe cohort of antenatal cases registered in rural areas of Maharashtra in the calendar year 2008 was followed up to study the pregnancy outcomes. A retrospective study was carried out from October 2009 to August 2010. The outcomes of all the registered antenatal cases were recorded by the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives. The summary sheets were obtained by Block Medical Officers. The data was entered at the block level by trained data entry operators in specially designed web-based software. Adverse pregnancy outcome was categorized in two groups abortions and stillbirths.ResultsAbout 1.1 million registered pregnancies were followed up. In the state 5.34% registered pregnancies ended in abortions. In tribal PHCs the relative risk of spontaneous abortion and induced abortion was 0.91and 0.38 respectively. It was also revealed that about 1.55% pregnancies culminated in stillbirth. The relative risk of stillbirths in tribal PHCs was 1.33. The sex ratio at birth in the state was 850. The ratio was 883 in the tribal PHCs. Correlation was observed between sex ratio at birth and induced abortion rate.ConclusionsThe study indicates that women from tribal PHCs are exposed to higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcome in the form of stillbirths. In non-tribal areas high induced abortion rate and poor sex ratio at birth is observed. These two indicators are correlated. The correlation may be explained by the unscrupulous practice of sex selective abortion.

Impact of rural community harvesting practices on plant biodiversity in Kudremukh National Park, India

The Kudremukh National Park in the central Western Ghats (India) is a mega-biodiversity hotspot. However, the dependence on forests of tribal and non-tribal settlements in the core area of the park has resulted in forest fragmentation, posing a threat to the endemic flora. The study focuses on the disturbed forest ecosystem in the park. Using the belt transect method, we studied the vegetation structure and floristic composition of forests in tribal and non-tribal settlement areas. We compared species diversity, richness, dominance and stand quality of the park with an undisturbed nearby forest. Due to harvesting practices of the rural communities, the percentage of light-demanding species was higher in tribal and non-tribal forest compared those in with the undisturbed forest. Differences in species composition were largely due to extensive establishment of light-demanding or pioneer forest species. The pioneer forest species pose a threat to endemic species of the region by suppressing seedling growth and establishment. Our observations will help forest functionaries to prepare site-specific restoration plans. Primary forest species such as Myristica dactyloides, Palaquium ellipticum, Garcinia gummi-gutta and Poeciloneuron indicum can be used in the restoration process. These species help to maintain forest ecosystem stability and improve provision of forest ecosystem services.

Some Salient Points in Dietary and Life-Style Survey of Rural Bengal Particularly Tribal Populace in Relation to Rural Diabetes Prevalence

KEYWORDS Type 2 diabetes; diet; tribes; herbal principles ABSTRACT In rural Bengal incidence of diabetes is on the rise. Both diet and life-style factors are blamed for it. It was observed that rural diet is diabetogenic. Prevalence of diabetes varies in different areas depending on dietary, socio-cultural and other factors. While in non-tribal areas food and life style factor maintains homogeneity, in tribal areas it is not. In Bengal main tribes are Asur, Birhor, Korwa, Lepcha, Munda and Santhal etc. Their dietary and life style factors need to be extensively studied to draw a reasonable conclusion.

Does Place Still Matter? Accounting for Income Variation Across American Indian Tribal Areas

Persistent poverty is frequently identified as a key problem on American Indian tribal lands in the United States. Yet the fact that tribal lands tend to be located in isolated, nonmetropolitan areas suggests that relatively lower levels of per capita income in tribal areas may be due largely to locational factors, such as the lack of access to markets, the absence of agglomeration economies, and an inadequate infrastructure. The study presented here explored the role of location-specific factors and other characteristics in accounting for variation in income levels between tribal and nontribal areas and across different types of tribal areas. The results suggest that location indeed plays a significant role in accounting for variation in income across both tribal and nontribal areas, but that human capital, demographics, and structural factors also matter. In particular, college-educated and retirement-age shares of the population have a positive effect on income levels in all areas, while unemployment rates and shares of the population that are American Indian have a negative effect in all areas. The results further indicate that once locational, structural, and demographic factors are controlled, tribal areas do not have significantly lower levels of income than do other areas. The lower income levels found in tribal areas may thus be understood as a function of location, industrial structure, human capital, and demographics, rather than as a reflection of problems that are inherent only in tribal areas.