A Statistical Study on Reproductive Health and Fertility of Scheduled Tribe and Non-Scheduled Tribe Women in Kokrajhar District, Assam

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. Despite efforts at many levels, improving the accessibility of health care and improving the quality of health care for women, is challenging. The present study attempts to analyse the reproductive health of scheduled tribe and non- scheduled tribe women in Kokrajhar district of Assam.
Methods: In order to examine the factors related to reproductive health care services statistical tool such as chi square test, multivariate regression analysis and Poisson regression models for children ever born.
Key Findings: Chi-square test confirms that women's educational level, abortion, afford medicine and habit of drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco have a significant association with the number of children of scheduled tribe women. Knowledge about Family Planning Programme (FPP), use of contraceptives, treatment satisfaction and afford medicine have a significant association with the number of children of non-scheduled tribe women. By applying Poisson regression model it is observed that the factors age at marriage of women, gynecological complications, afford medicine reduces fertility of scheduled tribe women and knowledge about Family Planning Programme (FPP), contraceptives practices, gynecological complications, physical problem, treatment satisfaction reduces fertility of non-scheduled tribe women.
Conclusion: The similar composite scores therefore concealed important differences in health-related behavior among scheduled tribe and non-scheduled tribe. District reproductive health planning should supplement composite indicators with component-level monitoring and community-specific interventions.