Santal Women Research Articles

Identifying the Socioeconomic and Demographic factors affecting the Maternal health care and delivery types of Santal women’s of Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Utilization of maternal healthcare properly is an important factor to reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality. This study was conducted to see the knowledge and practice regarding maternal healthcare (MHC) among santal women of Dinajpur. Santal are one of the largest tribal group of Bangladesh mainly living in Rangpur and Rajshahi division. They have their own culture and language. In this study 209 santal women having at least one child of age less than 5 years has been interviewed. Due to restricted sampling unit and lack of sampling frame, connivance sampling has been used for selecting sample from different region of Dinajpur district. It has been found from the study that 23.9% respondents gets married within 15 years and the majorities (63.3%) get married at age group 15 to 20 years. Maximum women experience their first baby birth in the age group 15 to 20 years which is 57.4%. About one third of the respondents had experienced a pregnancy that miscarried or ended by a stillbirth. Among the respondents 81.3% was hearted about menstruation before they enter in this group and almost half of the total respondents took part in a program arranged by NGO about maternal health care awareness. Almost 50% of the total respondents give birth in NGO sector. From the bivariate analysis it has been found that type of delivery has significant association with respondent current age, age at first birth and at age marriage. Also the place of delivery and respondent education level has significant association with type of delivery. From the binary logistic regression it has been found that lower middle class and middle class groups has higher chance of caesarean delivery than the poor group. Also, the respondents who get married or give birth their first baby after more than 25 years has higher rate of caesarean delivery than the reference group less than 15 years.

Risk Preference, Gender, Responsibility: A Cross-Cultural Study from India

The study critically engages the literature on gender differences in risk-taking and investigates how the decision-making environment causes variations in risk preferences. It specifically explores two environmental factors: cultural environments and an environment that increases responsibility. Through an experiment conducted in two small-scale societies, namely, the matrilineal Khasi and the patrilineal Santal, the study reveals evidence of higher risk aversion among women compared with men within each tribe. In addition, Khasi women exhibit greater risk aversion than Santal women, while Santal men demonstrate higher risk proneness than Khasi men. These findings align with the predictions of the economy of the scale model, which explores the impact of offspring provisioning on the gendered division of high- and low-risk labor. To assess the effect of increased responsibility, participants played the same game twice—once individually and once in groups where they were accountable for the payoffs of all group members. The results indicate that increased individual risk aversion further amplifies risk aversion in group settings. Overall, these findings suggest that psychological developments are influenced by a complex interplay between personality traits and the decision-making environment.

The Effect of Substance Abuse Associated with Nutritional Status and Blood Pressure in Santal Women

Background: The global burden of diseases and associated risk factors in developing countries has altered radically over the past decades, with a clear shift from communicable to non - communicable diseases. Hypertension is a major and probably increasing blood pressure as well as HT is the important risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Objective: This study was undertaken to study the effects of substance abuse associated with nutritional status and blood pressure in Santhal women. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 adult females aged above 18 years were incorporated. This study was undertaken in the Baganpara village of Bolpur, under the Birbhum District. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were also taken. The t-test analysis was made to determine the comparison of blood pressure levels by nutritional status. Results: However, the result of the present study in adult Santhal females revealed that the mean age was 36.86(±15.6) yrs. However, the mean height, weight, MUAC, MWC, MHC, BMI, and WHR were 151.8 (± 4.63) cm, 43.2 (±6.07) kg, 23.6 (±2.14) cm, 70.7 (±7.46) cm, 84.34 (±7.39) cm, 18.7(±2.17) kg/m2 and 0.83 (±0.03) cm. Moreover the mean of SBP and DBP were 112(±13.0) mmHg and 76.2(±6.94) mmHg, respectively.. It was revealed higher mean SBP in alcohol consumption, as well as higher mean SBP and DBP in tobacco consumption among user. There was no significant (P>0.05) association of socio-economic variables with blood pressure. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) mean SBP & DBP, between thinness and normal where as revealed significant (p<0.05) difference in SBP and DBP between undernourished and normal individuals. Conclusion: The present study in Sathal women of Birbhum district revealed that the normal mean blood pressure of adult females was higher compared to thinness, and the mean SBP and DBP of undernourished women were lower than normal individuals.

REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE MARRIED SANTAL WOMEN: A STUDY IN RANGPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

The purpose of this study was to explore the fertility intensions and family planning of the Santal women as well as to find out their reproductive involvement with contraceptive usages. This survey was carried out on Rangpur Sadar and Pirgonj upazila under Rangpur district during January to March, 2018. Random sampling technique was adopted and total sample size was 150. The study shows that majority of the Santal women’s marital age was between 15 and 19 years and they had one to three children. Most of them were not in practice of abortion and even a very few number of miscarriages was found in their reproductive behavior. Most of them were not forced to use any contraceptive. More than half of the Santal women became pregnant from one to two times in their life and first pregnancy was enumerated during their first year of matrimony as they did not take any birth control method just after their marriage. It is observed from the study that there prevails an association between Santal women’s number of pregnancy and their duration of marriage (p<0.001). The regression analysis shows that duration of marriage and number of family members had a positive impact on the pregnancy number of the Santal married women. They worked outside their home during their pregnancy. A significant number of Santal married women do not know how to use contraceptives properly. Awareness should be increased regarding the usage of contraceptives among illiterate married Santal women.

Gender and Awareness of Laws on Intimate Partner Violence: A Study Among Bengali, Garo, and Santal Ethnic Communities in Rural Bangladesh.

Previous studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in Bangladesh rarely focused on the effectiveness of primary prevention strategies like legal remedies. There is also a lack of studies on the issues among the ethnic minority communities in the country. This study examines the awareness of laws on IPV (such as recognizing the abusive acts and knowing the sanctions) among the ethnic Garo and Santal and mainstream Bengali communities in rural Bangladesh. The study randomly included 1929 married women and men from 24 villages. It appeared that the respondents were not adequately aware of the relevant legal provisions. There were also gender and ethnic differences in the issues. On average, the respondents maintained a low score on recognizing abusive acts. The awareness was further lower among the women compared to the men. In addition, multivariate analysis indicated that the Bengali women had relatively a better understanding of the issues than the Garo and Santal women. However, the Garo men showed poorer awareness of recognizing the abusive acts than the Bengali and Santal men. On the other hand, the respondents also maintained a very insufficient knowledge of the sanctions against such abusive acts, whereas women also showed a lower awareness compared to their male counterparts. Data further revealed that the Santal women had a more inadequate understanding of the issues than the Bengali and Garo women. However, the Garo men had more awareness of the sanctions than the Bengali and Santal men. The study reveals that people are unfamiliar with the laws governing IPV. It shows that understanding legal issues is another field of gender and ethnic inequality in the country. We suggest that there should be intervention to make aware the citizen, mainly women of all ethnicities, to ensure the efficacy of the laws.

The Gender Politics of Plough: Asymmetrical Taboos and Santal Women

The article seeks to make a gendered study of the plough taboo, a prohibition confined only to women, in Santal society. In the light of a discussion on women-specific taboos and restrictions, their diverse interpretations, customary laws and Santal folktales, the article endeavours to explicate the deeply embedded nature of the taboo within Santal society and unravels the gender politics behind the ‘forbidden’ plough. It argues that such asymmetrical, female-only taboos are not mere symbolic expressions of a community’s belief system. They are veritable patriarchal controls meant to ensure the complete dependence of women over men. The article explores similar asymmetrical taboos in other societies to emphasize the point that such female-only taboos are associated with the crucial elements of one’s survival and hence are grave handicaps for women, in particular the single women. The taboos serve as effective tools to control and manipulate single women and their resources, which may, sometimes, be conveniently used to evict them from their property.

Somatotype of Santal Tribal Women of West Bengal in India

Sixty-four Santal tribal women from Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India, were studied for their somatotype. The studied women were with an average age of 32.5 ± 11.6 years with a wide age range of 16–70. Average height was 150.2 (±5.2) cm. Heath–Carter method (1967) was followed for somatotyping. Average somatotype of the studied Santal women was 3.9 (±1.5) – 4.1 (1.1) – 2.9 ± (1.7). A total of 16–20 year age group had an average somatotype of 3.7 (±1.0) – 3.3 (±0.7) – 3.4 (±1.5), whereas that of 21–30 had an average somatotype of 3.4 (±1.2) – 3.7 (±1.0) – 3.9 (±1.5). A total of 31–40 year age group were more mesomorphic with an average somatotype of 4.4 (±1.6) – 4.4 (±1.2) – 2.1 (±1.7). Mesomorphy component increased as the Santal women grew up. The women from age group 41 to 50 year had an average somatotype of 4.0 (±1.6) – 4.6 (±1.1) – 1.9 (±1.3), whereas that of older women of 51–70 year age group were more mesomorphic with an average value of 5.0 (±1.9) – 5.1 (±0.7) – 1.7 (±0.7). Thus, muscularity of the Santal women increased as age increased. This was due to their changed lifestyle from young age to older age where older had to do more physical work than the young adults. Thus, well-built muscular body type of Santal women was an adaptation for hard physical work for survival.

Leaving no one behind: how women seize control of wheat–maize technologies in Bangladesh

ABSTRACTBangladesh is strongly committed to the “leave no one behind” principle of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. However, social norms and institutional biases in agricultural organisations can prevent indigenous peoples and women from participating in wheat–maize innovation processes, as they rarely meet the requisite criteria: sufficient land, social capital or formal education. The GENNOVATE (Enabling Gender Equality in Agricultural and Environmental Innovation) research initiative in Bangladesh shows that indigenous Santal women are obtaining access to and benefiting from wheat–maize innovations, enabling low-income Muslim women to benefit as well.

Nutritional status of reproductive aged santal ethnic women

Measurement of nutritional status is always vital and thought to be primary step to formulate development strategy. Reproductive aged ethnic women are important group to study because of their distinct features. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out at northern part of Bangladesh to assess nutritional status of reproductive aged Santal women with a sample size 200. Face to face interview was carried out with the semi-structured questionnaire. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and written consent was taken prior to interview. Nutritional status was determined according to BMI cut off value for Asian population. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to present data. Mean±SD age of respondents was 34.27±8.60. More than half (67%) of the respondents were illiterate and housewife (84%). Mean±SD income of respondents was 5700.71±282.89 per month. Underweight, normal and overweight were 67%, 30% and 3% respectively. Most respondents took rice 2-3times/day. Vegetables and soyabean were taken randomly. Lentil was taken daily. Statistical significant association was found between nutritional status and age group (p<0.05), education (p<0.05), occupation (p<0.05) and monthly income (p≤0.05). Half of the respondents suffered from underweight and most of them income was very low. Income generating capacity should be increased as well effective nutrition education programme must be instituted.

7.10-P8Effects of alcohol consumption in adult Santal women: a case-control epidemiological study in a northern district of Bangladesh

7.10-P8Effects of alcohol consumption in adult Santal women: a case-control epidemiological study in a northern district of Bangladesh

Effect of socio-economic characteristics on fertility and under-five mortality: examples from the Santals of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Fertility and under-five mortality are considered as key health indicators of a population. Both the fertility and under-five mortality varies accross countries, regions, ethnic groups and so on, which may bedue to disparities in socio-economic and cultural factors. The study aimed to better understanding the association of fertility and under-five mortality with selected socio-economic characteristics of the Santal labourer group of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Cross-sectional data have been collected on fertility, mortality and socio-economic characteristics from 627 ever-married Santal women. Descriptive statistics, multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportion hazard analysis have been done. Total fertility rate (TFR) of the present study group was 2.9 and the mortality rate was 105.1. In the present study, educational status, age and household size of the women have significant association with fertility. Under-five mortality has significant association with educational status of mother and birth order of the children. The study indicated that education was the one of the important factors (socio-economic characters) that had most significant impact on both fertility and under-five mortality of the Santal labourer group.

Santal women and birth control

This research in North East India looked at birth control in the Santal population in three villages in rural areas near Santiniketan, West Bengal.

Santal women and birth control

Santal women and birth control

Santal Women and the Rebellion of 1855 in Colonial India

It is generally assumed that Santal women contributed an imperative role in the Santal rebellion of 1855. According to the judicial records of the rebellion, almost every Santal woman was a rebel and many of them were arrested for their active involvement in the rebellion. Scholars on Santal rebellion have used such colonial administrative accounts to emphasize the subaltern protest against colonialism. However, a detailed study of administrative accounts also reveals that, after trial, most of the women prisoners were released as they were found innocent. Access to insider voices reveals how Santal women were persecuted under the pretext of witch-hunting by the very orders of Santal leaders. This article would argue how the women became the victims of the unrest and how the Santal rebellion was not spontaneous, and would critically propose how the age-old concept of women’s participation in the Santal rebellion of 1855 needs reconsideration.

Determinants of First Birth Interval among the Santal Women of Purbi Singhbhum District, Jharkhand

Determinants of First Birth Interval among the Santal Women of Purbi Singhbhum District, Jharkhand

Selection intensity and its opportunity among the Santal women of Keonjhar, Odisha, India

Present study dealt with the opportunity of natural selection using Crows index and Johnston and Kensinger's Index among the Santal womens of Keonjhar, Odisha, India. Mortality index (Im), Fertility index (If) and total selection intensity index (I) were analyzed among the studied population. The Crows total index (It) value was found to be 0.7246. The mortality (Im) component was found to be 0.5385 while the fertility (If) component was found to be 0.1846. The contribution of fertility component is greater than that of mortality component among the present studied population using Crows index. According to Johnston and Kesinger the total index (It) was found to be 0.8367. Where, fertility component was found to be 0.0885, Prenatal mortality component (Ime) and Postnatal mortality component (Ime/Pb) where observed to be 0.1356 and 0.1540. Therefore, it has been clear from the result that prenatal mortality contributes higher than that of postnatal mortality for selection. i.e., Johnston and Kesingers Index (0.8367) contributes higher for the opportunity of natural selection than Crows Index (0.7246).

Assessment of infant and young child feeding practice among tribal women in Bhatar block of Burdwan district in West Bengal, India

Background: The first two years of life involve rapid physical, cognitive and social development that requires optimal nutrition. Tribal populations are the most backward section of the society. In West Bengal, the Santal tribe contributes to 51.8% Scheduled Tribe population of the state. Aims & Objective: The present study was conducted to assess infant and young child feeding practice among Santal women in Bhatar block of Burdwan District, West Bengal in India. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive study of cross-sectional design. Bhatar block was purposively selected and 10 villages inhabited by Santals were chosen purposively. Data were collected by interview method using a pre-designed pre-tested schedule from 120 mothers having children of 0-23 months of age. WHO indicators for assessing infant and child feeding practices were used. Results: Breast feeding was initiated within one hour of birth in 48.33% cases, 46.15% babies were exclusively breastfed and in 47.37 % cases breastfeeding was continued at 1 year of the baby. Solid, semisolid or soft foods were correctly introduced at 6-8 months in 46.67% infants. Only 30.85% mothers maintained minimum dietary diversity while 41.49% mothers maintained minimum meal frequency. Conclusion: The poor status of indicators of Infant and child feeding practice found in present study may be attributed to high rate of illiteracy and poor socio-economic condition among Santal women. Therefore intense total literacy campaign, income generating activities and health education by health personnel is the need of the day.

Ignored Claims: A Focus on Status of Tribal Women Education of Santal Community of Puruliya District, West Bengal, India

In a tribal world, role of women is more respectful than so called civil society. She enjoys and shares economic burden of her family as well as take part in almost every decision making. Thus she is more empowered than her counterpart. But in terms of materialistic development point of view a tribal women still suffers disproportionately from education and decent standard of living. In this juncture the paper tends to explain the status of tribal women education of one of the major tribal communities of Puruliya district, West Bengal namely the Santal. To understand the educational condition of Santal women, a statistical measurement technique is developed known as Female Educational Attainment Index (FEAI) which is comprised of two indices i.e. Combined Enrolment Index (CEI) and Female Literacy Index (FLI).

Political Participation among the Santal Women: A Study in West Bengal and Bangladesh

Political Participation among the Santal Women: A Study in West Bengal and Bangladesh