Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Health Status of Schedule Caste Women and Children in Rural Punjab – A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Background: Scheduled Caste (SC) communities of rural areas face challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly impacting women and children. 31.94% of the Punjab’s population belongs to SC, nearly half are females, with the majority residing in rural areas. This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic conditions, health status and health-seeking behavior of the SC women and children. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April 2022 to March 2023 in ten SC-dominated villages in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts of Punjab. Data was collected from SC women and children through survey questionnaires and interviews conducted through door-to-door surveys. Results: It was found that52.01% were Pucca houses.99.67 % of houses had clean drinking water, 97.76 % had toilet facilities and96.75% had inadequate drainage facilities. The average age of marriage was 19.63 years and the divorce rate is significantly low (0.31%). 43.36% of SC women were illiterate, mostly above 35 years old. In this study, 85.02% of women were multipara and 8.49% were grand multipara, with an average of 2.54 pregnancies and a mortality rate of 0.04%.79.72% of children up to 5 years old were adequately nourished. Precocious puberty was not observed. Conclusion: Most of the households had potable water facilities and toilets but with inadequate drainage systems. Almost all the children were attending school and enjoying good health, few women held formal jobs. Menstrual health of females was good with very few cases of early menopause. Multiparty was common with a low mortality rate.