women and health among Dhankut

Status Of Marginalised Women And Health - A Survey Of Dhankut Women Of
District Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh
By
-Dr.Alok Chantia-Lecturer, Dept. of Anthropology, Sri Jai Narain Post Graduate College, Lucknow
-Dr.Preeti Misra- Lecturer, Dept of Human Rights, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Health is defined as social, physical and mental well being of a person. Health is also one
of the indicators of national development .Besides medicine culture is also responsible
for the well being and health of an individual. Culture basically develops and maintains
its structure by women. Woman is the axis of any society, but society does not provide
adequate health care for women.
The Dhankut of district Bahraich of U.P. is a small group with a population of 2687 only.
Even though they have the characteristics of a tribal population, they are included in the
general category. They are not listed in four-fold caste system nor does their caste appear
in District Gazetteer. Dhankut women are mostly illiterates. Their total number is 1138.
Due to cross cousin and parallel cousin marriage they are afflicted by many diseases.
They suffer from albinism, sterility, STD and STI besides poor nutrition. 90% of Dhankut
women are suffering from multiple health problems. Though the District hospital is very
near to their living place, they prefer to go to local quacks for the treatment.
Present study is exploratory cum descriptive type of work. 300 women respondents were
chosen by random sampling. All the respondents were above 18 years of age. Interview
technique was used for data collection and this study was carried out during 15
November to 15 December, 2006.
The present paper examines why Dhankut women are sufferers of many health problems?
Why they are not availing medical facilities of district hospital? Whether their culture is
responsible for their poor health?
Present study reveals that illiteracy and poverty are the main causes of their poor health.
They do not go to district hospital but go to local quacks which provide cheaper
medicines. Most of the times, medicines are not available in district hospital and
prescribed medicines are very expensive to afford. Their congested place of living is also
responsible for poor health and low vitality. There are no health workers in the area nor
any NGO is working to listen to their problems. It is suggested that present group should
be included in the list of SC/ST so that they may be provided with better health
facilities.Besides education and outreach programmes should be carried out by the district
hospital and district health officers.