Health Problems of Slum Dwelling Women: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The slum dwellers are generally suffering from various diseases with a high rate comparatively non-slum population in urban India. The women living in slum areas are mainly suffering from seasonal viral fevers, cough and cold, asthma, and other infectious diseases. The study shows that 39 % of slum women have poor health status. The reasons for poor health among slum women are malnutrition, unhygienic condition, lack of precautionary measures, and bad habits among them. About 37% of SC women, 30% each of ST and BC slum women, and 20% of OC women are frequently falling sick with various diseases. It is observed that 31% of the slum-dwelling women are getting treatment from RMP doctors, followed by 30% of slum women from private allopathy doctors, and only 18% of slum women are visiting Govt. hospital for their medical treatment. Only 29% of slum women are regularly visiting hospitals for their medical checkups. A majority of 62% of slum women have a habit of consuming alcohol and tobacco-related products, and out of them, 79% of women are facing health problems due to a habit of consuming alcohol and tobacco.