A Comparative Study of Reproductive Health Beliefs and Practices among Adolescent Married Girls of Birhor and Kolha Tribes in Oupada Block, Balasore District
Keywords:
Comparative tribal health, reproductive health, Birhor tribe, Kolha tribe, adolescent health.Abstract
Comparative understanding of reproductive health beliefs and practices between different tribal groups is essential for developing targeted, culturally-appropriate health interventions. This descriptive comparative survey assessed reproductive health beliefs and practices among 100 adolescent married girls (50 Birhor, 50 Kolha) in Oupada Block, Balasore District, Odisha. Using purposive sampling and structured interview questionnaires, data were collected on menstrual hygiene, sexual behavior, and nutritional domains. The hypothesis tested whether Birhor primitive tribal group demonstrates more traditional beliefs and inadequate practices compared to Kolha tribe. Results revealed significant inter-tribal differences: menstrual beliefs showed 100% Birhors versus 70% Kolhas believing menstruation is God's gift; practices demonstrated 100% Birhors using only undergarments versus 88% Kolhas using old cloth during menstruation. Sexual behavior comparisons showed 100% Birhors versus 84% Kolhas believing pre-15 pregnancy is safe; contraceptive use was 0% among Birhors versus 70% Kolhas. Nutritional comparisons revealed 90% Birhors versus 54% Kolhas believing forest food alone suffices; both tribes showed 100% alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The study concluded that Birhors face compounded vulnerabilities from extremely traditional beliefs combined with severe resource deprivation, while Kolhas demonstrate gradual modernization with persistent traditional elements, necessitating differentiated intervention strategies for distinct tribal populations.
