Abstract
The present study aims to explore the common health problems and the health-seeking behavior among the tribal population in Koraput district of Odisha. In order to assess the common health problems and the treatment-seeking behavior, 300 tribal individuals from 173 households in the age group of 18–64 years and 24 health care staff were recruited for the study. Information regarding health facilities, their affordability, and morbidity status were obtained through pre-structured questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-20 and Microsoft Excel software tools. Anemia, diarrheal problems, cold, pneumonia, vaginal problems, skin infection, fever, malnutrition, and sickle cell anemia were the common health problems reported by the respondents. In addition, the study found that the majority of the respondents relied on traditional health care practices. The initiation of proper awareness can help in reducing traditional health care practices among the tribal communities. Furthermore, the involvement of modern health care practitioners would help to reduce the disease burden in tribal communities.
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