Cross-sectional study of demographic and health status of the scheduled tribe population in selected panchayat areas of Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu

Background: Scheduled Tribes (STs) in rural areas often face economic deprivation, social marginalization, and limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, employment, and income-generating opportunities. This community-based study assessed demographic data and NCD risk factors among STs in Kalrayan Hills, Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu. Methods: The study was conducted from 1st June 2021 to 31st March 2022 in four ST-dominant regions, data on health-related demographics, the prevalence of NCDs, and associated risk factors were collected through door-to-door visits. The information was gathered via face-to-face interviews with respondents using a pre-designed survey format. Results: Among 4,363 ST adults, 3.69% had hypertension, 2.20% diabetes, and 2.10% osteoarthritis. Nutritional assessments showed 2.15% were undernourished, and 2.5% overweight. Among newly diagnosed participants, 30.16% of females and 24.36% of males had hypertension. Diabetes was found in 6.07% of males and 8.14% of females aged 31 and above. Osteoarthritis was prevalent in 5.5% of males and 8.7% of females. Additionally, 46.6% followed a non-vegetarian diet, while 2.06% had alcohol addiction, and 4.95% were addicted to smoking. Conclusions: Poor infrastructure and addiction issues contribute to health risks. The study emphasizes the need for improved healthcare access, early screening, and health education initiatives to promote NCD prevention and management in tribal communities.