Denying access of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups to contraceptive services

A case study among the Baiga community in Chhattisgarh, India

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3972987
AutoresSulakshana Nandi (0000-0002-4366-4566, State Convener, Public Health Resource Network Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India; Senior Programme Coordinator, Chaupal, Raipur, India, autor de correspondencia), Deepika Joshi (0000-0002-5224-2808, Programme Coordinator, Public Health Resource Network, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India), Preeti Gurung (0000-0003-0836-0556, Programme Associate, State Health Resource Centre Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India), Chandrakant Yadav (Member, Astha Samiti, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, India), Ganapathy Murugan (Member, Public Health Resource Network, New Delhi, India)
Año2018
Volumen26
Número54
Páginas84-97
Fecha de publicación2018-11-08
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaReproductive Health Matters (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0968-8080 • E-ISSN: 1460-9576
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09688080.2018.1542912
PMID31309872
OpenAlexW2905113706
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas10

Baigas are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), categorised as the most vulnerable amongst indigenous communities in India. As a strategy to stall their decreasing population, due mainly to high mortality, in 1979 the government restricted their access to permanent contraceptive methods, and this is enforced as a “ban”. Using a case study design with mixed methods, this study aims to understand the experiences and perceptions of Baigas in Chhattisgarh in accessing contraceptive services. Data was collected through: a household survey (n = 289) in 13 habitations; individual interviews and group discussions with Baiga men and women and health service providers; and anthropometry. The Baiga suffer poor nutritional status and poverty, out of proportion with district and state averages. Of the women interviewed, 61.3% have had four or more pregnancies and 61.3% have experienced the loss of child at least once during pregnancy or later. Baiga women's forehead tattoo, a marker of their identity, is used to deny them contraceptive services. Baiga women either have to travel to the neighbouring state to avail themselves of services, or lie about their identity. They are usually unable to access even the temporary methods. This coercive policy has led to their further impoverishment. Baigas have been demanding the right to contraceptive services. Denying contraceptive services is a violation of reproductive and human rights and the right to self-determination and bodily autonomy

Business · Economic growth · Environmental health · Family planning · Political science · Population · Poverty · Reproductive health · Service provider · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health and Conflict Studies · Law · Medicine