Obstetric Morbidity among Santals and Bengali women of Puruliya, West Bengal: A Comparative Study

The objective of the present study was to compare the obstetric health outcomes and care practices between Santal, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Bengali women (referred as Non-ST hereafter) across antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. A total of 800 study participants were selected by purposive sampling method. All the data were collected by using pretested question naires and universally accepted methods and techniques. Results showed significant population differences in many demographic and socioeconomic variables. Variations between the populations have also been depicted in antepartum care, including pregnancy confirmation time and morbidity profile, with ST women reporting higher rates of swelling of hand and feet. Postpartum complications, such as fever, were more common among the Non-ST group, while the Santal women reported fewer issues. The findings of the present study highlight the need for targeted interventions to address maternal health disparities among tribal women.