Vulnerable Tribal Groups Research Articles

Community Beliefs and Practices Around High Fertility in a High-Risk Environment: A Qualitative Study on Porja Hilly Tribe Living in Andhra Pradesh, India

This study aims to document the tribal community beliefs and practices around fertility behaviours of the Porja vulnerable tribal group in Andhra Pradesh, India. With the purposive sampling method, 175 mothers of reproductive age (>15–49 years) were selected based on the inclusion criteria of having experienced fertility practices and the cultural significance associated with it. The socio-demographic profiles and the fertility rates of 175 mothers have been enumerated through household survey methods and semi-structured interview schedules. The qualitative data collection involved 42 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions (involving 6–10 women) on specific sociocultural practices around fertility behaviour patterns. Handwritten interviews and conversations were transcribed and coded into themes and categories. Views from the themes reveal that the sociocultural environment has influenced fertility behaviours. Age at marriage and conception at adolescence are the main factors affecting tribal fertility. Traditional fertility-seeking behaviour indicated sequential care from traditional birth attendants and local medicinal women (providing medicine for early conception and birth spacing). The preference for two sons’ was the theme that largely influenced fertility trends. There is a need for comprehensive healthcare intervention in the PVTG tribal areas to lessen the unhealthy reproductive practices that affect tribal survival chances, leading to higher mortality rates.

The Legacy of Shanti Teresa Lakra and Its Impact on Public Health in the Andaman Islands.

In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shanti Teresa Lakra, a committed Indian medical nurse, has made a major impact on public health. Lakra, who was born in Rangat on May 1, 1972, was motivated to become a nurse by her elder sister. Her work with the Onge tribe has earned her recognition, particularly in the wake of the 2004 tsunami that destroyed their settlements. Lakra has devoted her professional life to enhancing the health of these indigenous people and averting their extinction by working with particularly vulnerable tribal groups. When she started her work, there were just 78 Onge people living there. She worked constantly to improve healthcare and education, and in five years, the population grew to 100. Her effort required overcoming socioeconomic obstacles, linguistic limitations, and the tribe's initial apprehensions. Despite hazardous circumstances, Lakra helped by immunizing the Jarawa tribe during the COVID-19 outbreak. Her efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Florence Nightingale Award and the Padma Shri. Her legacy is marked by her empowerment of tribal communities, her role as a healthcare role model, and her advancements in public health in remote areas.

Women's empowerment, household dietary diversity, and child anthropometry among vulnerable populations in Odisha, India.

Women's empowerment has been promoted by researchers and development practitioners as one of the most promising strategies to address widespread hunger and malnutrition. However, the relationship between women's empowerment and dietary diversity and child nutrition has rarely been studied among vulnerable populations or individuals at greater risk of poor physical and social health status. Moreover, the effects of different domains of women's empowerment on nutritional outcomes, including dietary diversity and child anthropometry, have rarely been examined, especially with panel data. Using two rounds of panel data from 1900 households and fixed effects regression models, we analyze the effect of women's empowerment on household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and child anthropometry among the particularly vulnerable tribal groups in Odisha, India. We also estimate the effects of various decision-making domains of women's empowerment on HDDS and child anthropometry to understand which empowerment domains matter for nutrition. Results show that women's empowerment is positively associated with HDDS (coef. 0.41 food groups; p < 0.1) and reduces the prevalence of underweight (coef. 39%; p < 0.05) and wasting (coef. 56%; p < 0.1) in children but has no effect on the prevalence of child stunting. Women's empowerment in agricultural input use; output sales; income; food purchases; and credit, group membership, and employment contribute to improved dietary diversity and child nutrition. We conclude that women's empowerment contributes to improved dietary diversity and child nutrition and is a promising strategy to improve farm household diets and child nutrition among vulnerable populations. Strengthening women's empowerment through the promotion of women's access to land and other agricultural inputs, market participation, access to information, capital, and credit is important.

Food and Nutrition Insecurity Status Among Tribal Communities: A Case Study of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Jhargram, West Bengal, India

Food and Nutrition Insecurity Status Among Tribal Communities: A Case Study of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Jhargram, West Bengal, India

Traditional alcoholic beverages of the Bonda tribe in Odisha, India: evidence from the field

Traditional alcoholic-beverages have been used by the tribes since ages. Bonda is one of the 62 Schedule Tribes and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha, who reside in the southern part of the state. Historically, a number of traditional alcohols have been produced by the Bonda which is consumed widely and used in the socio-economic and cultural events. Current times evidence the production and use of traditional alcohols gradually giving way to modern alcoholic drinks. In this context this paper tries to document different types of traditional alcohols produced, consumed and used by the Bonda along with its various impacts on the individual drinker and the society. The data were collected through community-based research in four villages under Khairaput block of Malkangiri, Odisha. The study found that 23 types of traditional alcohols are produced by the Bonda households, who derive economic security there from. However, the production, consumption and use of traditional alcohols are on the decline with the gradual increase of foreign liquor and this paper suggests institutional support for the clean production and marketing of traditional alcohols of the Bonda tribe.

A Geographical Appraisal of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Jharkhand and their Susceptibility to Environmental Hazards

Since time immemorial, tribes and nature have evolved in symbiosis. Any disturbance in nature affects these communities immensely. Environmental risks have become increasingly common over the world, causing tremendous concern for society due to its high level of susceptibility. India, due to its unique climatic and socio-economic conditions, is vulnerable, to various disasters. Though, environmental hazards affect all, its impact is more severe on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Measuring sensitivity to environmental threats is a huge challenge for disaster relief efforts worldwide. It is vital to measure the level of vulnerability in order to apply vulnerability reduction and mitigation actions effectively. The aim of the study is to analyze spatial distribution of PVTGs and their susceptibility to environmental hazards of Jharkhand. The study’s main finding revealed that two-third concentration of PVTGs are residing in the north-eastern part of the state. The largest concentration was found in Santhal Pargana and north-eastern part of the Jharkhand. Among all the tribes, Mal Pahariya constituted the largest group of vulnerable tribes followed by Sauria Paharia and Korwa. Birhor community was observed to be scattered in the region. Pakur district was known to have highest PVTG community. A district wise environmental susceptibility revealed that lightning, earthquakes, exposure to heat/stroke and cold had intimidated these tribes due to least socio-economic development. Lack of district wise data have inculcated the inconsistencies in the result. To mitigate the vulnerabilities of PVTGs, disaster risk reduction strategies must be tailored to their specific needs. The development of indigenous knowledge along with techno how can prove worth for community specific resilience towards environmental hazards.

Approach and Role of Chhattisgarh Government in Tribal Education

The role of the government is very prominent in the formal educational sector because it decides the line of action for approach and benefit to the students of all sections of society at state and national levels. Chhattisgarh, with one-third of its population as tribals, was constituted on 1st November 2000. According to the fifth schedule of the constitution of India, 60.55% of the total geographical area of Chhattisgarh is considered as the scheduled area inhabited by various tribal groups of the state, including 5 particularly vulnerable tribal groups. With the financial help of the central government under various schemes, the Chhattisgarh government runs various schools, hostels, Ashramshalas, and facilities for vocational education for tribals and other socio-economically deprived sections of the state. A field study is done by the author in Dantewada and Jashpur districts of Chhattisgarh. The establishment of schools, Ashramshalas, and hostels in the remote areas of tribal-dominated development blocks has played a significant role in upgrading the educational standard of the tribal students and facilitated them with opportunities for overall betterment.

Socio-economic Impacts of Forests Rights Act on the Individual Title Holders: An Analytical Study among the Lanjia Saoras of Odisha

The present study examines the socio-economic impacts of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 on Individual Forest Rights (IFR) title holders from the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of Lanjia Saora in the Gumma block of Gajapati district, Odisha. It analyses the socioeconomic status, land use patterns, occupations, and convergence of government schemes for IFR households across 4 villages through household surveys and focus group discussions covering 52 households. Key findings i.e reveal livelihood dependence on agriculture, agricultural wage labour and lack of basic amenities like pucca housing, electricity and toilets for majority of households. While some support have been provided through rural housing, land development and horticulture schemes, the coverage remains limited. The study therefore recommends increasing awareness about FRA, promoting cash crops, horticulture, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) collection and marketing, skill development for off-farm livelihoods, improving connectivity and public infrastructure etc. It conlude the need to address developmental gaps of tribal IFR holders through appropriate policies and convergence of government schemes at the district level.

Birhor Society and Culture: A Study on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Jharkhand, India

A significant portion of the Indian population consists of tribal communities. The world's highest concentration of tribal people with diverse cultures is found exclusively in India. Tribal people are those who inhabit a specific region, have uniform cultural characteristics, and use basic technology. Tribes are recognized for their unique ethnic and cultural characteristics, but they are losing their unique identities as a result of massive and rapid urbanization and industrialization. Since the beginning of ethnographic research on Indian tribes, scientists have been interested in the unique livelihood practices of the Birhor, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (primitive tribal group) in Jharkhand. They have historically lived in forests and had a nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle. Large-scale deforestation brought about by urbanization and industrialization has an impact on the entire culture and civilization. Their language and unique socio-cultural structure are undergoing rapid changes as a result of their increased exposure to modern culture through different government initiatives for tribal development, the modern educational system, etc. It is therefore necessary to investigate the evolving sociocultural patterns of the vulnerable "Birhor" tribe and to put appropriate strategies and programmes in place for the self-initiated preservation of indigenous tribal culture and identity. Keywords: Oral tradition, Social life, Economic life, Birhor, Jharkhand.

A Study of the Baiga Women's Tradition of Tattoos, Modernization of this Art and Situation of Tattoo Industry in India

The Polynesian term "Ta," which signifies hitting something, or the Tahitian word "tatau," according to some anthropologists, may be the source of the word "tattoo." It is "to mark something." Since before the start of the Christian era (CE), tattooing—a kind of bodily modification—has been ingrained in the cultures of many indigenous tribes worldwide. It is also demonstrated by anthropological evidence of various tattoo designs from various cultures that tattooing originated independently in many parts of the world. For various tribes across the nation, getting tattoos has always been an essential aspect of daily life. Tattoos are considered an essential component of the culture and history of the Baiga tribe's women. With the tribal people of Central India, tattooing, sometimes referred to locally as "Godna," is a common form of body art that has deep cultural significance. In this work, the importance of tattoo culture among the women of the Baiga tribe in central India is discussed and examined. This study aims to provide an overview of the Baiga tribe the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Central India. It also explains the tattooing process, from the development of the indelible ink to the tattoo artist's application of the ink into the skin's dermis layer. At present, this art has been modernized to a great extent and the tattoo industry has become a major identity all over the world. At the same time, it has spread to many states in India as well. There are immense possibilities of development in this field in the future.

Malnutrition and Anemia Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha, India: Needs for Context-Specific Intervention.

As undernutrition and anemia persist to be prevalent in India, the socioeconomically disadvantaged groups continue to take the greater brunt. Odisha is home to the largest number of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in India. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive report on the undernutrition and anemia status of all the PVTGs of Odisha. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among (N = 1461, 683 males and 779 females) 13 PVTGs spread across 12 districts of Odisha from August 2018 to February 2019. Among the under-five children, the prevalence of underweight was observed in 75.26%, stunting in 55.42%, and wasting in 60.00% and all forms of undernutrition were higher among girls. Among children and adolescents belonging to the age group of 5 to 19 years, the prevalence of thinness was 46.7%. In individuals above the age of 20, the prevalence of underweight among males was 37.7% and females was 44.3% and severe anemia was present in 36.5% of females and 35.8% of males. Women in the reproductive age have a higher prevalence of anemia. The study shows that undernutrition and anemia remain high in the PVTGs, especially among the under-five children and women in the reproductive age. As the country heads toward fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, national and state health policies need to be designed and implemented, giving special focus to these vulnerable groups.

IJCM_204A: A qualitative research to identify the barriers and facilitating factors in the utilization of healthcare services by a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Udupi District

Background: Udupi district hosts two major Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) namely Malaikudiya and Koraga. Koraga tribes are declining in number and deprived of availability of healthcare services and accessibility to healthcare facilities. There are a lot of barriers such as lack of awareness and social stigma amalgamate the existing conditions of Koraga tribes in Udupi district. Research studies pertaining to this problem has been seldom done. Objective: We aim to explore the barriers and facilitating factors in accessing healthcare services by a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Udupi district. Methodology: We conducted qualitative research through 8 in-depth interviews with AMOs from PHC and CHC, ITDP staff and NGO workers, and 3 focus group discussions with community health nurses, ASHA workers, and Koraga community leaders from Udupi district. We explored the major facilitators and barriers that influence the utilization of health care services by the PVTG. Results: On the beneficiaries’ point of view, lack of awareness, distance to health facilities, poor public transportation, perceived negative behavior of hospital staff, lack of infrastructure, unwelcoming neighbourhood approaches, and economic instability were the main barriers to utilizing healthcare facilities. On the stakeholders (providers) point of view, availability of healthcare facilities, government policies and schemes and NGO activities are the facilitating factors. Conclusion: Our study highlights the barriers to utilizing health facilities; these are not always driven by factors linked to the PVTG members’ socio- economic status but also depend significantly on the quality of the health services and other contextual factors. Although the government has made efforts to improve the rural healthcare system through national-level programs, our qualitative study shows that there are a number of barriers which lessens the effectiveness of the programs to enhance the utilization of healthcare facilities by the PVTG in the study area.

Barriers in utilization of ante natal care services among Lodha populations: A study from Eastern India

ABSTRACT There are various factors that may operate at the individual, household, or community level and control the supply of public health service facilities. These factors acted as barriers of non-acceptance of skilled antenatal care service (ANC). This study made an attempt to examine the interdependent relationship of supply/contextual side and demand side variables which are responsible for non-utilization of ANC among indigenous population. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 248 married Lodha (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) women of West Bengal, Eastern India. Participants were aged between 15 and 44 years, had pregnancy during the last five years prior to the time of the fieldwork. Supply/contextual side and demand side barrier of ANC care were collected. Hierarchical Cluster analysis was done to find out the interdependent relationship among the barriers of non-utilization of skilled ANC. Two hierarchical clusters (HC), one for supply/contextual side and other for demand side barriers, were formed. Dendogram resulted from hierarchical clusters revealed several individual and household characteristics as demand side barriers forming one cluster. Another cluster was formed by factors that controlled health service facilities. We conclude from this study that the utilization of maternal health care is still a challenge in India.

INTEGRATING TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS PRACTICES AND MODERN MEDICINE FOR ENHANCED TRIBAL WELL-BEING

The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Tamil Nadu inhabit the remote hilly regions of the Nilgiris District, fostering a deep reliance on Traditional Medicine over the past decades. Advancements in healthcare systems like road accessibility and the Tribal Mobile Outreach Services (TMORS) have brought modern medicine to the doorstep. It is still a matter of fact to be analysed whether or not these services cater to the unique needs of the tribal communities. The realm of study surrounds the tribal hamlets of Kotagiri where a blend of traditional and modern medicine exists within the healthcare system. However, the absence of a formal integrated structure poses various challenges. The study utilises a qualitative method through interviews and observations. The study aims to assess the prevalence and utilisation of traditional medicine while examining the availability and feasibility of Modern medicine in the tribal communities. Furthermore, it seeks to explore the distinctive barriers and challenges in integrating traditional and modern medicine. The study proposes a strategy to enhance public health and address emergencies within the tribal community as the primary focus is on enhancing the tribal healthcare system to meet the distinctive needs with a tailored framework which contributes to a more effective and cohesive healthcare system. KEYWORDS: PVTGs, Traditional Medicine, Modern Medicine, Integrated Healthcare System, Public Health

Individualized Homeopathic and Organopathic Supportive Management of Sickle Cell Disorder: A Case Series of Six Patients from a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in India.

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) is a hereditary blood disease characterized by an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin present in red blood cells. Genetic abnormality causes these cells to become sickle-shaped, with shorter lifespan. Vaso-occlusive crisis is a major symptom of SCD: it is a sudden and severe episode of pain, and occurs when sickle-shaped cells block blood flow. This blockage can lead to tissue damage, inflammation and pain. This case series aims to observe the clinical outcomes from prescribing individualized homeopathic medicines along with organopathic supportive medicine in the management of SCD through the analysis of case studies of six patients from a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in India that manifests genetic predisposition for the disease. The patients were administered individualized homeopathic and organopathic supportive medicines, after a comprehensive door-to-door survey and subsequent screening, conducted between October 2020 and May 2023 in the Dindori and Mandla districts of the central Indian state, Madhya Pradesh. Clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters including hemoglobin, along with scores from a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and from the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL) Questionnaire, were determined. Individualized homeopathic and organopathic supportive management led to improvements in clinical symptoms for all six patients. Laboratory test results showed a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin level associated with treatment. The VAS for pain indicated decreased pain frequency and severity. WHOQoL scores also improved, indicating enhanced well-being for each patient. No adverse effects were reported during treatment. This study suggests that individualized homeopathic medicine and organopathic supportive management have a beneficial role in managing SCD and may be valuable in the context of PVTGs in India. To establish a more comprehensive understanding of its efficacy, further studies should involve larger cohorts to allow for a thorough evaluation, including comparative analyses with standard therapies.

To leave no one behind: Assessing utilization of maternal newborn and child health services by all the 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) of Odisha, India.

Indigenous tribal people experience lower coverage of maternal, newborn and child healthcare (MNCH) services worldwide, including in India. Meanwhile, Indian tribal people comprise a special sub-population who are even more isolated, marginalized and underserved, designated as particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). However, there is an extreme paucity of evidence on how this most vulnerable sub-population utilizes health services. Therefore, we aimed to estimate MNCH service utilization by all the 13 PVTGs of the eastern Indian state of Odisha and compare that with state and national rates. A total of 1186 eligible mothers who gave birth to a live child in last 5years, were interviewed using a validated questionnaire. The weighted MNCH service utilization rates were estimated for antenatal care (ANC), intranatal care (INC), postnatal care (PNC) and immunization (for 12-23-month-old children). The same rates were estimated for state (n = 7144) and nationally representative samples (n = 176843) from National Family Health Survey-5. The ANC service utilization among PVTGs were considerably higher than national average except for early pregnancy registration (PVTGs 67% versus national 79.9%), and 5 ANC components (80.8% versus 82.3%). However, their institutional delivery rates (77.9%) were lower than averages for Odisha (93.1%) and India (90.1%). The PNC and immunization rates were substantially higher than the national averages. Furthermore, the main reasons behind greater home delivery in the PVTGs were accessibility issues (29.9%) and cultural barriers (23.1%). Ours was the first study of MNCH service utilization by PVTGs of an Indian state. It is very pleasantly surprising to note that the most vulnerable subpopulation of India, the PVTGs, have achieved comparable or often greater utilization rates than the national average, which may be attributable to overall significantly better performance by the Odisha state. However, PVTGs have underperformed in terms of timely pregnancy registration and institutional delivery, which should be urgently addressed.

Education and Development in Baiga Tribe of Madhya Pradesh

The baiga tribe is extremely backward in terms of their social, financial and academic level. Their geographical isolation has made them a very vulnerable tribal group in India. Education plays an important role in the socio-economic development. To include the baiga tribe in the mainstream, development of education can be an important factor. After independence efforts are being made to improve their education in India .The government is trying to uplift their overall situation through development programs in their areas. Altogether, the baiga culture has gradually changed due to continuous migration and impact of neighboring communities in the past and still changing due to the impact of modernization and developmental program at present. The aim of this research is to know the educational levels of Baiga tribe and the various educational welfare schemes initiated by the govt for the tribe and their influences.

How healthy is the health budget of Amrit Kaal: 2023-24?

Political will is the key to public health policy-making and a major driving force for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in any nation. To achieve UHC, the Indian government laid down National Health Policy in 1983 and updated it in 2002 and recently in 2017. This recent policy emphasized increasing healthcare spending and economic growth. In the current budget, there is an increment in the share of GDP of 0.34% from the previous year's allocation, but still staggering for the envisaged 2.5% to achieve UHC. Enthusiastic announcements of opening 157 new nursing colleges, a separate programme for eliminating sickle cell anemia by 2047, and Centers of excellence establishment for pharma companies for promoting research and development and focusing on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are the few overarching and new highlights in the current budget. But, in a country so huge and varied in terms of its needs in every sector, the announcements in the financial budget speech taking India forward in becoming a "shining star" is a matter of debate. This is an attempt to review the budget for this financial year in the healthcare sector and what it means: is the country willing to build a self-driven healthcare sector in the Amrit Kaal with strong public finances and a robust financial sector through "efforts by all"?

Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Among Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the Intensive Area of Rayagada District of Odisha, India

The tribal population in India too have high rates of hypertension and other risk factors of NCDs. Rayagada district, situated in the southern part of Odisha is home to diversified communities including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes with about 57% of the tribal population. It’s hard-to-reach scattered geographical areas, most of these populations remain inaccessible to various benefits, information, education and communication activities. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted after the intuitional ethical approval. The study duration was from 1st May to 30th June 2022. A systematic random sampling method was used to collect the data from a calculated sample size of 3600 individuals. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire containing four sections used to collect the required data. The study tool was incorporated in Epicollect 5.0 and data was collected through android phones. A total of 3625 individuals were interviewed with 60.5% female subjects. Most (98%) were married and belonged to Hindu religion (97%). Majority (98%) of the respondents were BPL card holders. About 57 % were chewing tobacco and 26% were alcoholic. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was 2 % and 20 % respectively. More than 80% were physically active, 28% were under weight and 9 % were overweight. The education level was found to be very low that may be responsible for poor food choices. Higher tobacco consumption in the tribal community has a deleterious effect and more chances of getting non-communicable diseases.

Environmental Degradation and the Issues of Survival: A Study on a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Eastern Himalayan Region, India

Environmental Degradation and the Issues of Survival: A Study on a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group of Eastern Himalayan Region, India