IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

DECISION MAKING IN HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN RURAL ASSAM

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Nazia Parveen,A. F. Gulenur Islam Barbhuiya

Abstract

Healthcare seeking behaviour of Muslim is one of the issue need to be address. In this paper researcher tried to understand the differences in the nature of decision making in health seeking behaviour of Muslim women. The present study is based on intensive fieldwork carried out among 300 married women from two villages- Balirband and Katigorah Part- III, inhabited by Bengali Muslims belonging to upper caste group and Mahimal- a lower caste group of Assam, Indian. The selection of the villages is based on certain parameters such as location in rural area, level of access to health services, income and caste. The findings of this study will help to plan, organize and provide a comprehensive health policy framework for Muslim women in South Asian context. The acceptance and utilization of need-based service is generally assured if the health programs are carried out after knowing the real health status and pattern of health seeking behaviour among the community. The study shows that Muslim women in the first place cannot access health care without an appropriate escort and secondly has to adhere to patriarchal regulations and tradition, restricting a smooth health care and treatment. With regard to decision-making, it has been found that, from among the women who seek treatment, the decision came from the male heads of the family, sometimes from the mother-in laws or other family members.

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