Health issues in women - A major cause of concern

The health of women in India is a major concern, particularly relating to gynaecological or menstrual issues. Women being the last person in the family so far as health problems are concerned, a vast majority of them suffer from problems like arthritis. The health problems are also related to diet of women. Majority of them in rural or urban areas do not get full meal at least two times daily. They consume two or three ingredients of the four-course meal once or twice a day. Roti or Rice with vegetables or onion or even only challis comprise their food in remote areas. Consumption of pulses, which is main source of protein is lacking in meals of majority of them.

Majority of women among tribal population (44.5%) suffer from arthritis, followed by blood pressure, menstrual problems, diabetes, heart disease, thyroidism. Although they take meals thrice a day, the ingredients are not nutritious. Most of the women manage small health problems at home. From among girls below 18 years besides menstrual problems, surprisingly heart disease and diabetes is increasing, which may be because of changing diet habits. Drishti Stree Adhyayan Prabodhan Kendra has used various methods to compile the data relating to status of women. Health is one of the important parameters for complete assessment of their status.

The data has been compiled through samples drawn from 29 states and seven union territories, including border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. Despite neglect of health issues, a vast majority of them have shown positive response on happiness and well-being index, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

Happiness and well-being Happiness is basically a state of mind, while well-being denotes kind of value which concerns what benefits or harms you or make you better or worse off. This might include things beyond happiness, such as achievement or friendship. Oxford Happiness scale, with suitable modification was used to measure happiness and well-being level. It has been observed that about 80% of women have very high and high levels of happiness and well-being. Women from spiritual fields have highest level of happiness. The highest level of happiness has been recorded among women in 51-60 years age group and later slight decrease above 60 years due to various influencing factors - insecurity, health problems, loneliness etc. There is no relation between the status of employment and level of happiness; neither related to education or family income.

Major Findings u Just above one-fourth of women take full meal daily. u One-third of women above 18 years take daily meals comprising three ingredients - Roti or Bhakri or Puri with rice, dal (pulses) or sabji (vegetable) . 12.08% take meals comprising only two ingredients - Roti or Bhakri with Sabji or salt or onion and chilly. More than 50% of women from spiritual field could manage full meal daily. Only 4.57% women could include non-vegetarian plus full vegetarian meal in their daily diet. u Nearly half of the women take meal twice a day. 6.01% women in border areas of West Bengal can afford one meal a day. u Majority of women in rural area have three meals in a day.

Majority in urban slums have two meals in a day. u 37.14% women have some or the other health problem. Majority of women among tribal population (44.5%) suffer from arthritis, followed by blood pressure, menstrual problems, diabetes, heart disease, thyroidism and other problems like migraine, cervical problems, kidney stone, asthma, digestive problems, eye problems and cancer. u 64% girls below 18 years of age suffer from menstrual problems. The next major problem is arthritis.

This is followed by blood pressure (5.28%), heart disease (3.07%), diabetes (1.62%) and cancer (0.51%). u Maternity health is a major concern, especially among women living in remote areas. Delivery at home causes maternity health problems. Nomadic tribes in Rajasthan carry out delivery in temporary shelters. Around 39.70% women in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and 34% in West Bengal gave birth to child at home. u 59.06% women prefer government hospitals for health services. 77% in border areas of West Bengal avail government health services.

Those above 41 years of age prefer private service. u Women’s health is most neglected. Most of them manage small health problems at home. About 40% were hospitalised during the last two years. Majority were in 18-30 years age group or above 60 years. u Majority of those hospitalised are unmarried or are in live-in-relationship, educated and employed. Less hospitalisation has been recorded among women without family or are not employed. u Women from lower income group may not get proper nutrition, maintain hygiene and lack access to timely medical care.