Abstract

Maternal and child healthcare (MCHC) is an important

aspect of healthcare that poses major challenges in the
healthcare system. Despite the implementation of various
MCHC programmes and policies, MCHC development in
India is still grossly lagging. The tribal populations and
tribal-dominated areas are more vulnerable, and they are
more or less deprived of their basic right to MCHC
services. In this context, this article is a modest attempt to
analyse the pattern of MCHC services among tribals in
India with a special reference to the tribal-dominated
districts of Odisha. Besides, the article also aims to explore
the factors determining low MCHC achievements in these
regions. Secondary data have been used from National
Family Health Surveys and other published documents by
the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the study. Simple
percentage ratio method and multiple regression
techniques have been employed to substantiate the
objectives. It is observed that MCHC indicators among
tribals and tribal-dominated areas are lagging behind the
national indicators and a multipronged approach with an
emphasis on effective implementation of schemes in tribal
areas is highly required. Districts with dense tribal
populations in Odisha are placed among the low-
performing districts in MCHC. Women’s education and
marriage below legal age emerged significant in
determining institutional delivery rate in districts of Odisha.
While the coefficient for women’s literacy is positive, it is
found to be negative for marriage below legal age.
Mother’s education significantly contributes to children’s
immunisation as well. The findings suggest the importance
of a long-term strategy like improvement of women’s
education for MCHC developments. In addition to
development of education and awareness, maternal and
child health schemes also need to be made available in
tribal areas by provision of services in hilly and
inaccessible regions and by breaking cultural barriers.
Abstract

The present study is an endeavor to understand the

sociodemographic profile, reproductive health, and
nutritional status of the Juangs, a particularly vulnerable
tribal population of Odisha, India. A total of 435 adult males
and 515 adult females (≥18 years) were considered from
15 villages under two blocks of Keonjhar district of Odisha,
India. A pre-structured schedule was used to collect data
on the sociodemographic profile and reproductive health.
Heights and weights were recorded using the standard
protocol. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) sex difference
was found with respect to age, educational status, and
occupational status between the males and the females.
The present study reveals that the mean reproductive
wastage was found to be 0.55. The maternal and child
health care services unveil that only 29.9 percent of the
women have taken iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets and
23.1 percent have taken at least one tetanus toxoid (TT)
vaccine. Maximum percentage of women (75.9%) were
assisted by elderly women during delivery, and only 35.1
percent adopted the sterilization method for fertility
regulation. Among the mothers, 60.6 percent initiated
breastfeeding on the third day, 55.9 percent breastfed their
babies for a period of 2 years, and 66.2 percent mothers
immunized their children with at least one vaccine. A
significant sex difference of mean body mass index (BMI)
(t – 5.68; p < 0.001) was observed between the Juang
males and females. The study reflects that the extents of
undernutrition among the males (57.5%) and the females
(62.9%) were very high, which indicates that the Juangs
are under serious nutritional stress. Hence, immediate
appropriate nutritional intervention programs are needed
for implementation.