Conference & Publication Details
- Conference Name: Indian Anthropology Congress 2016 (February 21–23, 2016)
- Focal Theme: Emerging Frontiers of Anthropology
- Organized By: Department of Anthropology, Assam University: Silchar (Diphu Campus, Karbi Anglong, Assam)
- Publication Source: Souvenir Volume, Page 74
Paper Specifications
- Title: A Study on Some Aspects of Reproductive Health among the Kaibartas of Dhemaji District of Assam
- Authors: Jyoti Hazarika and S. Sengupta
- Affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University, Assam-786004
- Study Area: Sonapur Gaon, Dhemaji District, Assam
Abstract
Most of the Indian women suffer from a variety of reproductive health problems like high prevalence of reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection and uterine prolapsed, over bleeding and lower abdominal pain during menstruation, irregular menstruation, infertility etc. A reproductive health study among the women has a great importance because it is a crucial feature of healthy human development and of general health. The health of a family absolutely depends on the mother’s health and her ability as she provides the required health care for its members.
The present study aims to evaluate few aspects of reproductive health such as the perception and awareness regarding the availability of appropriate health care services and family planning, health seeking behaviour, ante-natal and post-natal care, place of birth and health care delivery, gynaecological and obstetric related problems and mode of treatment etc. Relevant data has been collected from 135 ever married rural Kaibarta women of Sonapur Gaon of Dhemaji District, Assam. Kaibartas are populous indigenous scheduled caste communities of Assam. The exact meaning of the word Kaibarta is not clearly known but the term is generally used to indicate the people whose main profession is fishing. They are the staunch followers of neo-Vaishnavism propounded by Sri Sankardev.
The study reveals that the Kaibarta women under study are not much attentive about their reproductive health. They believe many reproductive health problems and their symptoms as normal and do not seek treatment until discomfort is excruciating. A good number of the women severely infected for a long time due to lack of awareness and proper health care facilities. Precise health education concerning gynaecological and reproductive morbidity is utmost important for them to reduced the stigma and embarrassment of reproductive health problems. Health seeking behaviour should be enhanced and made more accessible so that women feel at ease in seeking treatment.
- Key Words: Kaibarta, Assam, Reproductive Health, Obstetric, Ante-natal and Post-natal Care, Infertility, Family Planning.
