Denying access of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups to contraceptive services: a case study among the Baiga community in Chhattisgarh, India

Figures & data

Table 1. Nutritional status of Baiga children under five years and of Baigas aged 15–49 years

Nutritional status	Baiga study (2017)	Chhattisgarh NFHS 4 (2015–2016)	Kabeerdham (NFHS 4 2015–2016)	Chhattisgarh NFHS 3 Tribal (2005–2006)
% of children (under 5 years) underweight (less than −2 SD) (N = 110)	55.5%	37.70% (p < .001)**	38%	53%
% of children (under 5 years) stunted (less than −2 SD)(N = 110)	55.5%	37.60% (p < .001)**	40%	52%
% of children (under 5 years) wasted (less than −2 SD)(N = 109)*	15.6%	23.10% (p = .063)	18%	26.5%
% of Women (15–49 years) with BMI below 18.5 (N = 221)	56%	27% (p < .001)**	33%	50%
% of Men (15–49 years) with BMI below 18.5 (N = 205)	56%	25% (p < .001)**	20%	41.5%

Source: PHRN, 2017⁸

* Missing values.

** Difference between Baigas and Chhattisgarh NFHS 4 is statistically significant.

Table 2. Characteristics of women in reproductive age group

Characteristics	Total no. of respondents (N)	Value
Mean age of women, years (±SD)	248	37.49 (±13.69)
Mean age at marriage, years (±SD)	247*	17.48 (±2.95)
Mean age at first pregnancy, years (±SD)	233*	19.24 (±2.63)
Mean number of pregnancies (±SD)	248	4.41 (±2.61)
Mean number of living children (±SD)	248	3.12 (±1.77)
Number of women with four or more than four pregnancies (%)	248	152 (61.3%)
Number of women with lesser number of living children than the number of pregnancies (%)	248	152 (61.3%)
Number of women who ever had miscarriage	248	19 (7.7%)
Number of women who ever had a still birth	248	8 (3.2%)

Source: PHRN, 2017.

*Missing value.

Table 3. Utilisation of contraceptive services

Dimension	n	%
Women who have ever used contraceptives (N = 248)	121	49.0
Respondent or husband who have undergone sterilisation (N = 121)	99	81.8
Women who had ever demanded temporary methods from health workers (N = 242)	14	5.8
If yes, then whether they received (N = 20)	13	65.0
Where was sterilisation done (N = 99)
Sterilisation camp organised by the government	69	69.7
Government facilities	26	26.3
Private hospital	1	1.0
Others	3	3.0
Total	99	100
Those who had to go outside state for sterilisation (N = 99)	67	67.7
If given a choice, those who would like to go for permanent contraception (N = 140, 2 missing)	55	39.3

Raniya Baiga, showing her facial tattoo

Table 4. Pregnancy outcomes of Sukhni Baiga and the timeline of her attempts to access sterilisation services

Number of pregnancy	Sex of child	Current age and status of child
1	Male	28 years
2	Female	Died
3	Female	Died
4	Male	26 years
5	Female	25 years
6	Male	18 years
First attempt to get sterilisation
7	Male	Died
8	Male	16 years
9	Male	Died
10	Female	13 years
11	–	Miscarriage
12	–	Miscarriage
Hysterectomy

Public Health Resource Network. Exploring health inequities amongst particularly vulnerable tribal groups: case studies of Baiga and Sabar in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand States of India. Report of a study by Public Health Resource Network. Trivandrum; 2017.

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