Factors Associated with Differentials in Utilization of Child Health Services between Scheduled Tribes and Non-scheduled Populations in Odisha, India

This paper examines the differentials in utilization of child health services between the Scheduled Tribes and Non-scheduled populations in the Odisha state of India. Data from the National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) carried out during 2005-06 are used. Besides, information from the field survey and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted in Sambalpur and Rayagada districts of Odisha are used. Logistic regression models have been employed to see the net effect of individual socioeconomic factors on utilization of preventive as well as curative child health services. Results show that utilization rate of child health care services is substantially lower among the Scheduled Tribes as compared to non-scheduled populations. Though utilization of child health care services is associated with a range of socioeconomic factors, the social group differences in utilization as revealed by the logistic regression models, is largely explained by the variations in the mother’s level of education. The unexplained differences could be attributed to the health seeking behavior as revealed in FGDs conducted among both the groups. Besides neglect of hospital staff and the feeling of ‘out of place’ at the health centre and lack of social capital are found to be linked with low utilization of child health services among the scheduled tribes.