Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
2017
Advisor
Cristina-Ioana Dragomir
Abstract
The study aims to assess the intersection of gender, education, socio-economic status and nomadism, and its influence on health behaviors and health care access of the “Gypsy” seminomadic Narikuravar community in Tamil Nadu, India. The research was conducted through interviewing 51 Narikuravar women, using a semi-structured method. The results revealed that the low education level of women and their semi-nomadism negatively affect their access to information about accessing health services; although the community is open to allopathic treatments, it has a low rate of allopathic care utilization, which they almost never frequent for chronic and non-urgent medical situations; many women are familiar with the concept of health insurance, but the rates of enrollment and utilization are very low; a large part of Narikuravars prefer using private sector care over public sector one; and the community faces stigma and discrimination while accessing health care.
Keywords
health access, health utilization, discrimination, socioeconomic status, India
Recommended Citation
Zafiu, M. (2017). "Health Access For Vulnerable Groups: A Study On The "Gypsy" Narikuravar Community In Tamil Nadu, India," Joseph Wharton Scholars. Available at https://repository.upenn.edu/joseph_wharton_scholars/36
Date Posted: 14 September 2017