Accessing of Health Care Services by Tribal Households in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha

Health is an important aspect of human life, and it contributes to increased productivity and the development of an economy. Considering the status of health and health care services in India in general and the tribes in particular, access to health care is one of the main concerns which affects the health status of the tribal people. The main aim of this study is to examine the common diseases prevailing among the tribals and factors influencing their access to health care services. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha in June 2019. Mayurbhanj district has been selected for the study as it has the highest concentration of tribal population in the state. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was followed to select a village for the study. Out of 26 blocks of the district, Rasogobindapur block was selected at random. Further, Badampur gram panchayat (GP) has been selected at random from Rasogobindapur block, out of the 15 GPs. Patharchatia village has been taken from the chosen gram panchayat, also at random. All 110 households of the selected village, comprising 630 individuals, have been taken in the sample for the collection of information. Data were collected from the sample households through a pre-tested, structured schedule. The binomial logit model has been used with access to institutional health care services as the dependent variable. The results suggest that diseases like diarrhoea, cold and cough, skin disease, joint pain and fever are more common among tribal people, and the occurrence of disease is more common among females than males. Out of the sample, the proportion of males who were suffering from at least one health problem at the time of the survey was only 39.3%. Similarly, accessing institutional health care services is 77% among males and 53.8% among females. Access to institutional health care services is higher among the more educated and relatively higher-income groups. Age of the head of the household, total income of the household, distance to health centre and perception regarding the quality of service available are factors that influence access to health care services. Thus, mere provision of health care facilities is at best a necessary condition for access of these by the tribals for ensuring better health outcomes, the sufficient condition being a general improvement in the levels of education and economic conditions of these communities.