Impact of Gender and Socioeconomic Factors on Nutrition and Health in Urban Slums of Raichur Karnataka India

This study explores the influence of gender and socioeconomic factors on nutrition and health in the urban slums of Raichur, Karnataka. The research highlights significant gender disparities in food access and healthcare services, particularly affecting women. Despite their participation in income-generating activities, women's autonomy in decision-making remains limited, leading to poorer health outcomes. The study calls for targeted interventions to enhance healthcare access and promote gender equity in slum communities, aiming to improve overall well-being and health outcomes. Additionally, 64% of respondents believe that women have equal status to men in their households, but financial dependency and ingrained societal norms continue to restrict women's influence over food choices and healthcare decisions. The findings further show that women participating in income-generating activities enjoy improved financial stability, which can lead to better nutrition and healthcare access, yet socioeconomic conditions often constrain the diversity of their diets. Food consumption patterns highlight a reliance on staple foods, such as rice and chapati, with a limited intake of more diverse and nutrient-rich foods. Despite high levels of participation in family income, women face unique challenges related to malnutrition and healthcare, particularly during pregnancy. This study calls for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing women's access to healthcare, improving dietary diversity, and promoting gender equity in household decision-making. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of how gender and poverty intersect to affect health outcomes in slum settings, providing a basis for informed policy-making and program development.