Prevalence of complications due to poor nutritional and socioeconomic status in migratory tribal pregnant women of punjab region

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to study the Nutritional behavior of Migratory newlineTribal Pregnant Women and complication faced by them during pregnancy and newlinepostnatal period of Districts Jalandhar, Nakodar and Kapurthala in Punjab. Total 300 newlinepregnant women were included in the study and all belong to Sansi, Mazhabi, newlineBazigar, Jat and Gujjars. Considering the objectives of the study, an interview newlineschedule was framed which included questionnaire regarding general information, newlinehygiene, socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, average consumption of various food newlineitems, awareness regarding medical facilities, awareness regarding nutritional newlinerequirements and complications during pregnancy. newlineThe majority of the women were elderly mothers (61%), uneducated (70%), and newlineliving in large family (60%) with 8 or more members in their family. Most of them newline(gt50%) were labourers and belonged to low socioeconomic group. More than 40% of newlinethem were multigravida females and more than 40% had past history of abortion. newlineThey preferred traditional medical care and delivery system which found to be main newlinecause of complications and abortions. newlineThe present study showed poor nutritional behaviour of tribal pregnant women. The newlineaverage intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fat and vitamins was lower than newlinerecommended daily allowances. The health of these female was found severely newlinemalnourished. This could be due to ignorance and low purchasing power of this newlinespecific group as they were all below poverty line. Most of the female were suffered newlinefrom nutritional anemia which was the route cause of many complications in mother newlineand newborn and high mortality rate. The present research showed that pregnant newlinewomen from various tribal groups were not taking proper and recommended dietary newlineintakes and they also had the habit of skipping meals. They were negligent in taking newlinenutrient supplements although they are provided for free at government institutions newlineviz. hospitals, dispensary and anganbadi centres. newline5 newlineThe present study also showed poor personal and environmental hy