GANDHI MANAV KALYAN SOCIETY
806, Bhadviya House, Near Ankur Hotel, Shastri Circle, UDAIPUR
Ph: 0294-2411895 E-mail: mksudr@rediffmail.com
WOES AND AGONIES OF TRIBAL MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN
UDAIPUR: Galdhar village, 83 Km away from Udaipur, consists of mostly
tribal population. Gharasiya and Bheel are the major tribal folks of the region
live in most decapitated social condition. The recent study conducted on
Reproductive Health of the children and their mothers of Jhadol and Kotra
blocks of Udaipur district in Rajasthan by Gandhi Manav Kalyan Society, an
NGO works in Udaipur tribal region of Rajasthan, revealed the pitiable health
status of mothers and young children of the region.
When women and their male counter part of these villages have asked about
the modern spacing methods (condom, pills and CU-T) of contraception using
by them, it was revealed that only 3% of women are using modern methods.
Beside that around 15% of women believe on traditional methods for delaying
pregnancy. The major reasons behind this are non-using of contraception, lack
of correct knowledge, where to get these methods, traditional myths and
misconception, fear about side effects and opposition by husband and other
family members, especially mother in law.
In additional to that around 94% of deliveries take place at homes by unskilled
health workers. There is a common myth that home is the safest place to
conduct deliveries. Skilled health professionals handled only 6% of deliveries
last year. However, Government’s Sub centres were established in these villages
within 2/3 km range, but no woman has received complete Ante Natal check
up. Even all these women understand about complete Ante Natal check up
means getting abdominal examination and injection (TT). It is very important
to know that around 32% of women have received 31 to 60 Iron and Folic
Acid tablets supplied by Government agencies. But interestingly, 15% of these
women have consumed these tablets. Although, they have misconceptions that
it may cause stomach problem and irregular menstrual cycle.
All the mothers interviewed have lost/ mishandled immunization card of their
children. Even they do not know which vaccine their children have got and
when. Moreover, no child has received complete immunization. The core
reason behind this is that these people are least bothered about the health of
children as well as mothers and also misconception exists related to
immunization. Only 5 % of children received complete vaccines in these
villages. The traditional health care system of the region does not follow early
initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour) and exclusive breastfeeding for six
months, which are compulsory for overall growth of the infant as prescribed by
Indian Ministry of Women and Child Development, WHO, WHA and
UNICEF. The rate of early initiation of breastfeeding is as low as only 15% in
the tribal areas. Around 80% mothers do not give first breast milk (colostrum)
to newly born infants. Their traditional believe is that colostrum creates
stomach problem to the infant. That is why they prefer to give goat’s milk for 3
to 5 days immediately after the birth of the infants.
This study was conduced in Galdhar, Kantharia, Chokhala Bhara villages of
Jhadol and Kotra blocks of Udaipur district.
Prepared and Complied by:
Meenakshi Paliwal
Project Officer (Health)
Email – versatilemeenakshi@rediffmail.com
Ph: 09214986548 / 09982787506