Health, Hygienic, and Educational Conditions of Upper Bonda Tribal Women of Malkangiri, Odisha, India

The present study focused on exploring the health, hygiene, and educational conditions of tribal women from the Upper Bonda tribal community in the Malkangiri region of Odisha, India. A descriptive survey was used to carry out the research. A purposive stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select sixty tribal women as participants, and other stakeholders, i.e., Doctors, health workers, and teachers, are also included. A semistructured interview schedule was developed, and face-to-face interviews were conducted during field visits. The data collected were analyzed using percentage and thematic analysis techniques. The significant findings indicated that menstrual health, hygiene issues, and diseases like malaria, typhoid, and genetic conditions significantly affected most women. The low literacy rates among Upper Bonda tribal women were linked to a lack of awareness and financial support. The inaccessibility of schools and insufficient parental support explain why tribal girls often cannot receive proper education or tend to drop out early. The findings were further corroborated through discussions with teachers, doctors, and Asha workers about the prevalent health, hygiene, and educational standards among Upper Bonda tribal women. It can be concluded that the absence of financial assistance and awareness dramatically contributes to the lower literacy rates and declining health status among Upper Bonda tribal women. The Central and State Governments must revise the POSHAN Abhiyaan nutrition policy and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) policy, among other initiatives. Imp