An individual’s conduct in seeking healthcare is directly associated with how they perceive different health issues within the context of sociocultural elements and accessibility of relevant institutions. The tribal population holds unique health-seeking behaviour (HSB) with their own identity and cultural context. Hence, understanding their health and HSB is a big concern for academia and the state to make health services affordable and accessible.
Considering the tribal HSB in particular, this article takes ideas from other literature and published works and conceptualises them for a wider application.
The materials for data collection have been co-opted after a filtration process comprised of four stages: (a) Collecting preliminary materials, (b) primary search, (c) identifying tools and methodologies, (d) data analysis and outcomes. Only 39 articles from those published from 2000 to 2020 were found suitable.
The themes are branded under three general orientations of HSB: (a) traditional medicine (e.g., Chettu Mandu, Kattumarannu, Nattuvaidyam, Veru Mandu); (b) supernatural (e.g., Cillangi, chetabadi); (c) modern medicine (e.g., English mandu).
The tribal group’s understanding of health is more functional than clinical. The study closes this epistemological gap and clarifies the role of sociocultural elements in recognising tribals’ health and HSB.
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