STUDY ON COMPARATIVE HEALTH STATUS OF SELECTED SANTHAL & SABAR TRIBES IN NORTH BENGAL REGION OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

ABSTRACT

Aim of the study: The study was conducted to reveal the prevailing health status of two primitive Santhal and Sabour tribes of northern region i.e. DakshinDinajpur district in West Bengal, India.

Methodology/Design: In this study, Purposive sampling method was adopted. Blocks wereselecteddue to their socio-economic backwardness and tribal dominancy in the district as well as state of West Bengal. In the district, from each Santhal and Sabar tribes 40 numbers of sample populations were randomly selected. The collected data was computed and analysed by various statistical methods.

Findings of the study: The education level, occupational status, income level, house type, knowledge and attitude towards health status index were significantly better in Santhal’s but not in Sabar tribes. Sabar tribes consume less feed, sickly built and less land holding capacity which in turn are directly or indirectly related to health status of the tribal’s. The major constraint faced by all the selected tribes were lack of awareness, knowledge, education, low income, lack of availability, poor personal hygiene, low prophylactic measures to maintain the health status of the tribal people.

Practical Implications: The study signifies and suggests inclusion of increased literacy programme, vigorous awareness campaign on hygienic health activities for tribal development.

Originality/Value: The study has explored several entrepreneurial ventures which increased income level and occupational status of tribes along with usual developmental programme of the government. This will also helpful for better socioeconomic upliftment of the area and tribal community as a whole in the functional area of the state of West Bengal, India.