A Survey on Socio-Demographic and Health status of Tribal Community of Bangladesh: Santals

Abstract

Purpose: There is lack of evidence based information particularly in Bangladesh about the status of health and disease condition of different tribal community, especially about Santals. The study was performed so that the critical aspect and condition of health of the Santals along with their socio-demographic status has been revealed. Methods: Study was conducted at the Rajshahi Division, in the Naogaon district in six different village where the Santals lives from their ancestors. Information on their socio-demography, health, disease condition and others related matters has been collected through a pre-planned questionnaire and the collected data were analyzed to reveal the desire status through Excel and SPSS analysis. Result: On the basis of critical analysis, the highest age of the participants were 86 and the lowest were 15, and the mean (±SD) age of the participants were 38.25 (±15.313) years. The percentage of male and female participants were 45.9% and 54.1% respectively. There dependency on their hand made alcohol were notable 39.8%, and smoking were 43.2%, among them percent female alcoholic were 14.5%. Maximum participants were having high blood pressure 73.7% whereas the percent among male and female were 80% and 67.8% accordingly. The prevalence of diabetes were 34.1%, where the percent of male and female were 52.56% and 47.44%. In addition, percentage and frequency of other disease and disorder of Eye, Oral, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Musculoskeletal were 31.4% (72), 22.2% (51), 24.1% (55), 41.8% (96), 31% (71), 62% (142) respectively. About 52.4% (120) were immunized and among them 13.1% were single vaccinated and 39.3% were multiple vaccinated. From 87.8% (201) married participants 35% (70) were having birth control methods, whereas most of them were dependent on pills 55.6%. On the side of female participants only, 9.7% (12) were pregnant, 16% (20) were reported painful period and 3.5% (8) were noted for breast discharge. Conclusion: The outcome of this study will give an authentic view about the Santals current health status and will draw the attention of the authority in order to make the available public health intervention and medical care available for not only them but also for other vulnerable tribal communities.