ASSESSMENT OF SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS RURAL WOMEN IN WAYANDAU DISTRICT, KERALA , INDIA

Abstract

Sex and Reproduction are tabooed topics even in today’s society. This study was conducted to find out the difference between the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, attitude and behavior among indigenous and non-indigenous women, considering the vulnerability of indigenous population for lack of awareness. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Wayanadu district of Kerala state, India. A total of 61 rural women participated in indigenous survey and 115 were from non-indigenous group. The study considered AIDS and Contraceptive knowledge to measure SRH knowledge. Personal attitudes on Patriarchy and opposite gender interactions were based for Attitude. Information seeking and Health care seeking tendencies were considered to analyze the SRH behavior. The study found that the prevalence of SRH knowledge is higher among non-indigenous population and SRH attitude and behavioural patterns were found to be comparable. Thus, the study concludes that attention should be given on SRH awareness among both the communities. The study also suggests that community friendly programs should be introduced in indigenous regions to increase the information and health care seeking rate.