Changing Health Care Practices Among the Tribals

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The region and the tribal people. 3. Social environment and health behaviour among the tribes. 4. Maternal and child health care practices. 5. Family planning practices and the tribal people. 6. Conclusions and suggestions. References. Index.

"The present book deals with the inter acting influences of social environment and the position of Non-Government Voluntary Organisation in relation to health care practices of the tribals.

Tribal communities possess a unique health problem in regard to the acceptance and rejection of modern medicine. It is very difficult to understand the tribal health problem only by providing health institutions, modern doctors, equipments and medicine to the tribal communities for the betterment of their health. Inadequate service quality and western mode of modern health services fail to meet their expectations. Tribal concept of health, of disease, of treatment, of life and death is as varied as their culture. The tribal society is guided by traditionally laid down customs and every member of the society is expected to conform to it. Tribals have still retained much of their traditional health culture. It has also been observed from the study that there is a keen inclination among the tribals towards modern medical facilities where medical facilities are accessible to them.

The present book is an essential reference book on tribal health. The policymakers, policy advisors, donor agencies, Non-Governmental Development Organisations working with the tribal communities and policy researchers will find the book useful. The book will also provide an interesting reading for the tribal development professionals, consultants, students of sociology, researchers and those interested in the area of tribal health." (jacket)