Effects of socio-demographic factors on health of girl –child in India

Health is a multidimensional phenomenon. Ideal health will always remain a mirage, because everything in our life is subject to change. Health in this context may be described as an individual’s ability to adapt and modify according to the changing conditions of life, an individual’s need to have a healthy life-style. Several factors play an important role in determining the health of an individual.

“Health for All” is a Millennium Development Goal and is also imbibed in National Health Policy 2002 .Medical science has been developing by leaps and bounds.  In India it has brought in more awareness, longevity and a number of other advantages. At the same time availability of health care in India is uneven and unequal for women and children. In this regard the present study focuses on health of girls in Mumbai. There are several specific health problems that women face and hence there is a need for a gender focused understanding of their health issue. In general her health is determined by dietary habits and attitudinal factors. Both these factors are further affected by a host of factors which include biological, socio-cultural, economic and demographical factors.

Socio-demographic factors are factors associated with the patriarchal structure of society and the hierarchical position of gender. The roots of poor health status of women are often neglected in the society. India is characterized by male domination which essentially gives an inferior status to women. As a consequences of their lower status overall, women experience discrimination in the allocation of household resources including food and access to health services.

The present paper based on empirical study will highlight the poor state of heath of the girls in Mumbai who slowly accept the negligence and injustice in the society.