Slum Women Research Articles

Awareness of Gender Based Violence Interventions by Women of Reproductive Age in Kibera Slums

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major worldwide public health concern which is quite prevalent with domestic violence being voiced as the most common (WHO, 2020). According to WHO (2020), at least 1 in 3 women have experience physical or sexual violence. A study by NCRC (2020) showed cases of gender- based violence in Kenya reported between January and June, 2020 (that is 2,032) are way above the total numbers reported between January and December, 2019 (that is 1,057), representing 92.2% increase and confirming an escalation of incidents (NCRC, 2020). Kibera slum is not spared from GBV cases and other public health issues. A cross-section study was designed to determine the level of awareness of the available GBV interventions among women of reproductive age in Kibera slums and to determine the factors associated with awareness of available GBV interventions offered to women of reproductive age in Kibera slums, the second largest slums in Sub-Saharan Africa. The data was collected with a questionnaire from a sample of 390 interviewees. The findings showed that only 9 (2.3%) which is a small percentage had adequate awareness of the types of interventions that were available for GBV while 112 (28.7%) were not aware of any GBV interventions. The age, education level, occupation, affordability, accessibility, cultural factors, and acceptability of the services were the factors associated with the awareness of available GBV interventions. The study recommended the training of the public and private sectors on the importance of the GBV interventions so as to ensure that the survivors are attended to early enough to curb long- term consequences and that the perpetrators are punished for the vice and there is also a need to raise the women of Kibera slums from low socio-economic status which make them susceptible to and victims of GBV.

Health issues of women migrants in slums of urban Aligarh

Globally and nationally, women are migrating in a similar pattern as men, although they are differently affected by migration. Female migrant workers face a new set of challenges in the host states. The neglected and deprived women in slums often suffer from physical and mental health issues along with exposure to poor sexual and reproductive health, maternal morbidities and risk of infectious and non-communicable diseases. The present study has used a qualitative research design to highlight the mental, sexual and reproductive, maternal and general health-related perspectives and issues faced by migrant women in the slums in Aligarh city. The qualitative data were collected using a purposive sampling design from women in slums using open-ended interviews to understand the plight and vulnerability. The study found the health of migrants to be in a highly deteriorated state and recommended the need for the state to streamline the provisional care needs of women migrants in slums.

Effect of lifestyle interventions to reduce depression, anxiety and stress among married women of reproductive age group: A non-randomised controlled trial in urban slums of Bhubaneswar.

Women are more prone to develop mental disorders as compared to men and the role of physical activities to reduce its burden by improving self-esteem is appreciable. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lifestyle interventions to reduce depression, anxiety and stress among women in urban slums. This study was a non-randomized controlled trial carried out in two slums of Bhubaneswar in married women of reproductive age group (15 years-49 years) from June 2019 to September 2021 after approval from the institutional ethics committee. A total of 128 married women were recruited, 64 women in each arm. DASS-21 was used for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress of all participants. The lifestyle intervention program was provided to 64 women in the intervention group and educational materials were provided to the control arm. DASS score was assessed again and compared with follow-up scores in both groups. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency, mean, median, and standard deviations. Independent t-test and paired t-tests were done where applicable. There was no significant difference in socio-demographic factors and DASS-21 scores in both groups during baseline. Depression, Anxiety, and stress score were significantly lower in the intervention arm than control arm in the follow-up (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the pre-intervention and post-intervention levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the intervention group (P = 0.05). Simple community-based physical activities as in our intervention program focusing on the reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress levels in women may prevent the rising problems of common mental disorders.

Analyzing the Health Status of Slum Dwellers: An Evidence of Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Miserable status of health and public health is one of the major problems of more than 1 billion people living in slums across the world. Most of the governments, do not pay due attention. Purpose: Current study is especially devised to highlight the major problems of slum population in relation with health and public health so that better policy measures might be suggested. The second most populous city of Pakistan is Lahore and it is the home of about 27 million people, slums area of Lahore were chosen as population. Methodology: Through stratified sampling technique 250 households from ten slums were chosen as a sample. Inferential and descriptive statistical techniques have been used study in hand. The logistic regression model has been used to analyze the impact of important socio-economic variables on the health status of the family. Results: From descriptive analysis, we know that about 73 percent of the slum residents have no access to even basic health facilities, 32 percent of the slum children are not immunized, 72 percent of the slum women give birth to children without any proper assistance and 56 percent do not receive antenatal check – ups during pregnancy. Further, about 66 percent of the dwellers have no access to safe drinking water while majority face unhygienic and poor solid waste management status. Conclusion: The results of regression model shows that per capita income, education level of the family head, availability of safe drinking water and employment status of the family have positive while smoking and drinking leave negative impact on the health status of the dwellers. The findings address the authorities concerned to take holistic and practical measures for betterment of human development. Keywords: Slums, Antenatal Care, Basic Health Facilities, Safe Water, Immunization, Solid Waste Management

Impact of Migration on the Utilization of Antenatal Care Services among Women of Urban Slums in Bangladesh

Mothers living in urban slums in Bangladesh get far less access to maternal and child health care services which may lead to mortality or serious morbidity to mothers as well as newborns. Lack of antennal care (ANC) is closely linked to poor pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight, preterm births or infant mortality. However, exposure to migration makes the situation worse in terms of attending urban community health care facilities among women in slums. Since the effect of migration on the usage of antenatal care services in slums has remained an under studied area, this paper aims to examine the adjusted effect of migration on perceiving adequate ANC. Data from the second round of Bangladesh Urban Health Survey conducted in 2013 have been used for this study. A well fitted binary logistic model resulted in lower odds of receiving complete ANC among recently migrated women in slums (AOR=0.602, 95% CI=0.43-0.85). Therefore, further emphasis should be given to increase awareness about antenatal care services among women who are recently migrated to urban slums in Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 70(2): 8-14, 2022 (July)

Knowledge of Slum-Dwelling Adult Women Regarding Harms of Tobacco Use

Background: Tobacco use has become one of the major causes of premature deaths in developing countries including Bangladesh. Incidence of tobacco consumption among the women in developing country is increased day by day. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of slum dwelling adult women regarding harms of tobacco use. Materials &amp; Methods: This descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted in selected urban slums of Dhaka North City Corporation from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Total 300 slum dwelling adult women was selected by convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through face to face interview using a pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Results: In the study, the mean age of the respondents was 32 (± 6.96) years where maximum (44.3%) within the age group of 20-29 years. Majorities (97%) of the respondents were muslim and 93.7% were married. Among them 29% women were completed primary education. Most (59.3%) of the respondents were home maker and majority (96.0%) of them were came from nuclear family. The study showed that most (56%) of the respondents consumed smokeless tobacco (Jarda, Sada pata, Gul) and only 1.7% respondents consumed smoking tobacco (bidi). Majority of the women knew that tobacco use can cause different types of cancer but many of them did not know that tobacco use had detrimental effects on reproductive health of women. Television (44.3%) was the main source of the information about harms of tobacco use. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 7.8 (±2.4). Association between most of the socio-demographic variables and the respondent’s knowledge score regarding harms of tobacco use was found statistically significant (p&lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the educational levels of most of the slum women were low and they had the lowest mean knowledge score regarding harmful effects of tobacco use. Health educational programs and awareness campaigns should be conducted among slum dwelling women of urban community to increase their knowledge on harmful effects of tobacco use. JOPSOM 2021; 40(2): 58-64

Prevalence and risks of reproductive tract infections among women of urban slums in North India

Objective: To identify the prevalence, determinants of reproductive tract infection, and healthcare seeking behavior among ever married women of reproductive age residing in an urban slum of Faridabad, Haryana, North India. Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was conducted among ever married women aged between 15 and 49 years insured under employees state insurance scheme and residing in an urban slum of Faridabad. Simple random sampling technique was used to interview 149 eligible women using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Study variables included sociodemographic profile, family planning methods, menstrual absorbent usage, and symptoms of reproductive tract infection. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of reproductive tract infection. Results: Of the women, 46.3% had at least one reproductive tract infection or sexually transmitted infection symptom and 28.9% among them sought treatment for the symptom. Vaginal discharge, itching (14.1%) and lower abdominal pain (30.2%) were the major symptoms reported. Non-usage of condoms as contraceptive was significantly associated with a higher rate of symptoms (50.4% vs. 20.0%). Abortion had a significantly high odds of having reproductive tract infection symptoms (aOR 3.71, 95% CI 1.59-8.62; P&lt;0.01). Less frequent change in absorbent during menstruation was also reported to have a higher rate of symptoms. The majority of those who took treatment sought it from government or employees state insurance dispensary. 2% also went to faith healers. Conclusions: Nearly half of the study population have reproductive tract infection symptom. Abortions and non-usage of condom increase the risk of reproductive tract infection. Menstrual hygiene and condom usage are the significant interventions, which may reduce the prevalence of these symptoms.

Identifying Factors Associated with Hypertension in Slum-dwelling Women Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Globally, an estimated 1.56 billion people will have hypertension by 2025, with about two thirds of cases in low- and middle-income countries. India accounts for 17.6% of the worldwide burden of hypertension with 30.7% of Indians having a systolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. Between October 2017 and May 2018, 607 women in urban slums in Mysore, India, were recruited into a cross-sectional assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated risk factors. This is a secondary data analysis of the same data. To test for mediation and moderation of these risk factors, SEM and cascade modelling were used. Covariates of interest included demographic and behavioral risk factors. The overall prevalence of hypertension (based on cut-offs of systolic blood pressure over 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure over 90 mm Hg) was 57.5% (95% CI: 0.535, 0.614). The mean SBP and DBP were 137.7 mm Hg (± SD = 21.4) and 91.0 mm Hg (± SD = 10.8), respectively. Demographic factors (p-value < 0.001) and exercise frequency (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with the modifiable risk factors. The coefficient for the path between the modifiable risk factors and SBP was -3.88, while that for path between demographic factors and DBP was 0.03. Education and the demographic risk factors index were positively associated with DBP, and the modifiable risk factors index was negatively associated with SBP. Variables whose effects reversed in direction after inclusion of potential mediators represent an interesting finding that deserve further study as potential effect modifiers.

Gutka consumption and dietary partialities explaining anemia in women of a coastal slum of Karachi, Pakistan: A mixed-method study.

Limited literature is available on the dietary pattern and its consequences on health of women living in coastal slums of Karachi, Pakistan. The study employed a mixed-method approach where concurrent quantitative and qualitative assessments were carried out. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on demographic, household, obstetrics characteristics, and dietary pattern of married women of reproductive age (MWRA). Blood samples were collected to identify the hemoglobin level to determine anemia. For the qualitative component, focus group discussions were carried out with women and in-depth interviews with shopkeepers to understand the availability of food items at household level and in local markets respectively. In addition, observational visits were carried out at different points in time to the local market to document the availability of iron-rich foods for the community. The overall prevalence of anemia in sample population was 68.0%. Women with no formal education (AOR: 2.93 95% CI: 1.90-4.52), who consumed gutka (AOR: 2.84 95% CI: 1.81-4.46), did not eat red meat (AOR: 1.68 95% CI: 1.06-2.65), and only had seafood (AOR: 4.56 95% CI: 1.38-15.02) were more likely to be anemic as compared to their counterparts. Qualitative data revealed that any kind of meat and fruits were beyond the reach of community people due to non-affordable cost. A high percentage of women used a locally produced recreational substance known as gutka which gives them a feeling of wellbeing and suppresses hunger. In our study population, lack of access to diversity of food items, illiteracy, and use of gutka are the statistically significant factors which are associated with anemia in married women of this coastal slum area. The lack of demand for diversity in food is related to poverty and preference of spending money on gutka.

Socio-Economic Conditions of Women in the Slum of Kumbalagodu Industrial Area of Bangalore Region

In Karnataka, Migration has played an important role in accelerating urban growth by attracting rural migrants to urban areas for economic reasons despite a lack of physical infrastructure in terms of housing, drinking water supply, drainage, sanitation, and other amenities. As a result, the migrant rural poor are forced to seek for unofficial alternatives, leading in the growth of slums and squatter communities. Slums are now a regular sight in practically all of India's major cities. As a result of the constant influx of rural migrants, the quality of life diminishes, and the gap between demand and availability of basic services and other infrastructure in the areas deepens. This present research article is to study and examine slum areas and their living conditions, and finding out the most critical and problematic zone of the slums. In relation to this article, the objectives is to assess the socio-economic conditions of women dwellers of slum in Kumbalagodu industrial area and to suggest appropriate measures to advance the standard of living conditions of women in slum of the Kumbalagodu industrial area of Bangalore region and it also suggests suitable measures for upliftment of women of slum of case study area.

Domestic violence among women in slums: scope for public health intervention

Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums offer scope to understand violence as intertwined with specific material and social configurations. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of domestic violence among women and the scope for public health intervention in the context of the realities of a slum.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through narrative interviews of 30 married women residing in a slum in the Indian city of Kolkata using an unstructured interview schedule.Results: A thematic analysis revealed that all the women faced both physical and sexual violence in their day-to-day lives. The trajectories of the violence could be traced through their early marriage, lack of financial autonomy, and absence of control over their bodies. Women reported pain and physical injuries, as well as gynecological health problems due to routine violence. It also took an adverse toll on their mental health. There was a dearth of effective community-based help-seeking resources.Conclusions: The study concludes that there is a need for moving beyond solely a justice system approach to more integrative models of promoting health in addressing the issue of domestic violence.

A study to compare the effectiveness of structured teaching programme regarding family planning methods on knowledge among married women of rural area and urban slum of Bhopal

A study to compare the effectiveness of structured teaching programme regarding family planning methods on knowledge among married women of rural area and urban slum of Bhopal

Knowledge, awareness and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases among women in urban slums

Sexually Transmitted Diseases/ Infections (STDs/STIs) are a major public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity among women in developing countries like Bangladesh. According to WHO, 2006, STDs/STIs ranks second as a cause of healthy life loss among women in the reproductive age group. This research has been conducted on examining knowledge awareness and prevention of STDs among women. It was conducted in two selected slums (Kathalbagan’s Lakkhi slum and Moghbazar slum) of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. This study was conducted through quantitative research and convenience sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on knowledge awareness and prevention of STDs/STIs. The study shows that 68.3% of respondents have knowledge about STDs, in this research majority of respondents are not aware of risk factors associated with STDs. This study examines that, for building awareness, majority of respondents preferred “Radio and Television” as the most important media that can build awareness for STDs among slum women. Special counseling is mandatory for the victims, along with sex education. Awareness about healthy sexual behaviors, a hygienic lifestyle, and instruction about the correct use of male condoms should be promoted to reduce the risk of health complications and greatly reduce the spread of STDs not in Bangladesh but also in developing countries.

A study on knowledge of contraceptive usage and its determinants among married women in urban slum of Nalgonda district

Background: India was the first country in the world to launch National Family Welfare Programme in 1951.Modern contraceptive use remains an important public health intervention to reduce maternal mortality, avert unintended pregnancies, and to control population explosion especially in developing countries. To determine the extent of knowledge, awareness and practices of contraceptive use among married womenMethods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done for a period of three months duration conducted among married women in reproductive age group of 15-49 years in urban slums of field practice area. Results: Among eligible couple, those who want to avoid pregnancy, though they have knowledge and awareness (93.5%), Out of them only 21% of participants were using temporary methods. Most of them (37.4%) were opting for tubectomy. The source of information is mostly from health personnel (46.8%), followed by friends and family members 42%. Partner (38.7%) and “in-laws” (14.8%) consent, fear of side effects (29.6%), illiterates (31.6%) and low socio-economic status (47%) playing major role as barriers of acceptance of birth control methods.Conclusions: The prevalence of contraceptive usage in our study was found to be 58.7%. In present study 41.2% women use no contraceptives which clearly indicate that awareness about contraceptives is not sufficient for its actual use in this community and extended efforts will be needed.

Sexual and reproductive health education and its association with ever use of contraception: a cross-sectional study among women in urban slums, Accra

BackgroundSexual and reproductive health education among girls and women has several reproductive health benefits, including improved contraceptive knowledge, contraception use at first intercourse, increased chance of contraceptive use in a lifetime, and effective usage of contraceptives. It is however not clear whether women/girls in urban slums who have had sexual and reproductive health education would likely utilize contraception. This study sets out to test the hypothesis that Accra slum women who have had sex education have higher chances of ever using contraception.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among reproductive aged women in two slums (i.e. Agbogbloshie and Old Fadama) in Accra, Ghana. A sample size of 691, made up of respondents who provided responses to the question on ever used contraception, sex education as well as those with complete information on all the other variables of interest was considered in this study. Binary logistic regression models were fitted to examine association between sexual and reproductive health education and ever use of contraception. Crude odds ratios (cOR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at p-value less than 0.05 were used to assess the strength of the association between the outcome and independent variables.ResultsMore than half (56.73%) of the women have never received sexual and reproductive health education. Most of the respondents (77.28%) had ever used contraceptives. Women who had no form of sexual and reproductive health education had lower odds of ever using contraception (OR = 0.641, 95% CI 0.443, 0.928) and this persisted after controlling for the effect of demographic factors (AOR = 0.652, 95% CI 0.436, 0.975] compared to those who have ever received any form of sex education. Non-married women as well as women who were exposed to media (newspapers/radio/television) were also more likely to use contraceptives in slums in Accra, Ghana.ConclusionThe study revealed a relatively low prevalence of sex education among women in urban slums in Accra. However, sex education was found to increase the odds of ever use of contraception. These findings call for intensified sexual and reproductive health education among reproductive aged girls and women in urban slums in Accra using existing informal social networks and local media platforms.

Implications of sanitation environment on women's health: a case on railway slum of Khulna city in Bangladesh​

Sanitation is a multidimensional concept, mainly including providing service for clean water and safe disposal of human excreta, drainage and waste management. The researcher of the study aims to find out the existing condition of the sanitation environment and women’s health issues for the implication of the sanitation environment. For this purpose, the researcher used the Khulna railway slum informal settlement of Khulna city as the study area and identified the sample size through convenience sampling as the study is explanatory. Under convenience sampling, 134 respondents were surveyed through a face-to-face interview. Through the study, the researcher learns about the existing sanitation environment through the present condition of sanitary facilities, drainage facilities, water facilities and waste management facilities. Furthermore, the sanitation environment is a significant concern in the slums. Because of the poor sanitation environment, the slum women are getting sick. They face physical health issues like cold and cough, diarrhoea, skin disease and urinary tract infection. Moreover, they also experience psychological health issues like depression, loss of sleep and losing confidence. In addition, women experience health issues during pregnancy (eating disorders, weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, back pain, sleep disorder, depression and anxiety disorder) and menstruation period (stomach pain, mood swing, excessive bleeding, rash at external genitalia).

Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India.

Introduction:Domestic violence (DV) is a public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 35%. The prevalence rate of spousal domestic violence in Telangana is 36.4% which is higher than the national average of 25.3%. Despite being a punishable offense, DV is still on the rise in India. Hence, there is need to assess its extent and determining factors for planning of remedial measures.Objective:To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and its associated factors among married women of an urban slum in Telangana.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18- to 45-year-old married women in urban slums of Telangana. The sample size was 200. Multistage random sampling was done. Data collection was done using questionnaire with information regarding socio-demographic details, types of domestic violence, help-seeking behaviours, awareness, and outcome. The victims were directed towards medical and legal help, and further counselling. Descriptive analysis was done to find proportion of domestic violence. The associated factors were found using Chi-square test and logistic regression.Results:Domestic violence was reported by 70.5% of the study participants. Physical abuse (67%) was the main offense followed by emotional abuse (38.5%). Though 89% of women were aware of domestic violence being punishable by law, only 9.5% of women sought help. Woman’s older age (COR = 2.015, 95% CI: 1.088-3.733, P = 0.026), illiteracy (COR = 2.181,95% CI: 1.097-4.3381, P = 0.026), longer married life (COR = 1.961, 95% CI: 1.008-3.815, P = 0.047), husband’s early exposure to abuse (COR = 4.439, 95% CI: 1-19.705, P = 0.034) and alcohol intake (COR: 1.995, 95% CI: 1.038-3.838, P = 0.037) were found to be significant factors in the bivariate analysis. Husband’s exposure to abuse in childhood (AOR = 5.326, 95% CI: 1.163-24.400, P = 0.031) and alcohol intake (AOR = 2.206, 95% CI: 1.109-4.389, P = 0.024) were found to be independent predictors.Conclusion:Domestic violence is highly prevalent in urban slums of south India. A woman’s age, education, duration of marriage, husband’s early exposure to abuse, and alcohol intake are determining factors. Awareness programs need to be conducted regarding helplines, medical and legal aspects. All domestic violence cases should be registered, and social, psychological and legal support be provided to the victim.

Urban Slum Women Entrepreneurship - A Study

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the case studies of successful women entrepreneurs in slum areas of the Municipalities in Kadapa District. The present study focuses on the qualitative dimensions of SHGs on specific occupation, income, life skills, knowledge, awareness levels and its impact on the economic status of the members. After having the detailed observation on the case studies of slum women and their lifestyle in study area, one can realize that nothing is impossible to the women if she strongly decided to take up any challenging activity through her constant commitment and dedication towards fulfilling the goals. Hence, challenges caused by the negative stereotypes and traditions, culture of Indian society are needed to overcome by the women to get success in their businesses. The present research contributes to a better understanding of the important group of slum women entrepreneurs.

How Do Urban Slum Women Manage Excessive Vaginal Discharge? A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Abnormal vaginal discharge (VD), which is a recurring problem for most of the women at reproductive age, is a good predictor for many gynecological morbidities. Many women constantly neglect abnormal VD because of the prevailing “culture of silence.” Women who live in urban slum are vulnerable to many unhealthy practices and have a high prevalence of reproductive tract infection, especially sexually transmitted infections. Hence, this study aimed to describe urban slum women' understanding, attitudes, and related practices for abnormal VD. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 women living in urban slum in the Colombo Municipal Council area, Colombo District, Sri Lanka, during September 2015–March 2016. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used. A validated, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from females. Data were analyzed using descriptive and relevant inferential statistics (Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance). Results: The mean age of the women was 32.51 (standard deviation [SD] ±7.94) years. The mean knowledge score was 29.18 (SD ± 8.68). Most of the women (97.1%) had inadequate level of knowledge (&lt;50%). A significant association was observed between the knowledge score levels with the participants' educational level (P = 0.00). Major areas of knowledge deficit include causes for pathological VD and reproductive tract infections. Majority (95.9%) agreed that abnormal VD should be taken seriously but from the women who accepted (78.2%) that VD has ever been a concern to them, only 59% had consulted a general practitioner. There was a significant relationship with having accompanying symptoms such as burning sensation and lower abdominal pain and consulting a general practitioner (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Culture-specific health education intervention measures need to be targeted in order to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward VD.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE RELATED PROBLEMS AMONG SLUM WOMEN

Slums are the areas of substandard housing conditions within a city .The United Nations defines the slum as ... a building, group of buildings or area characterized by overcrowding, deterioration, unsanitary conditions or absence of facilities or amenities which, because of these conditions or any of them in danger, the health, the safety or morals of its inhabitants or the community. Various terms such as 'blighted area', 'deteriorated areas', ' marginal areas', 'transitional areas', 'substandard settlement', 'provisional settlement', 'squatter settlement', 'overnight settlement', 'urban villages' etc. are very loosely used to denote slums. It has been found by number of researchers that due to poor economic and educational status, awareness regarding health and hygiene is found to be very poor among slum dwellers. Slums are very prone to unhygienic and unhealthy conditions because of their socio-ecological settings. Slum areas have been the breeding grounds of epidemics such as cholera, jaundice, hepatic disorder. Infectious diseases like tuberculosis, chest disease like asthma, lung cancer due to excessive use of tobacco, alcohol and spirit are very common. Abject poverty, social and economic deprivations, lack of essential food and nutrients and the unhygienic and contaminated water force them to live on the mercy of nature than on human resources. The water borne diseases like amoebiasis, helmenthiasis, diarrhoea, dysentery, viral hepatitis, and typhoid are very much common among them. Eighty to ninety percent of the slum inhabitants have no access to human waste disposal facilities. These conditions render the surroundings polluted and un conducive for human habitation resulting in environmental degradation. These slum dwellers are also not aware of small family norms. The size of their family is very large. Child marriages are prevalent among them. In spite of hard work by the women in slum, their condition is very bad. They have very low literacy rate and their economic condition is also not good. Most of the slum women get married at the age of 13 to 15 years. But the condition of unmarried girls is also far from satisfactory. They are treated as an unpaid worker who helps in cooking food, cleaning utensils and looking up their young brothers and sisters when the parents go to their work. Socially, these women's are very much deprived and engaged in anti-social work and are the easy victim of unhealthy physical as well as social environment.