Health Challenges and Indigenous Practices: A Comprehensive Study of Tribal Communities in India

Abstract:

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the health status, medical practices, and cultural perspectives on health among tribal communities in India with the aim of developing culturally sensitive healthcare interventions that integrate traditional wisdom with modern medical advancements. Design/methodology/approach – The sample contains 40 relevant papers that have used theories and were collected from the Pub Med and Scopus database. This study uses a systematic review technique. Findings – The review shows dire health conditions among Indian tribal populations, with prevalent diseases like goitre, yaws, and malaria. Poverty, inadequate healthcare, and reliance on traditional healing exacerbate these challenges. Integrating indigenous wisdom with modern healthcare is crucial for culturally sensitive interventions to enhance tribal well-being in India.

This paper uniquely explores prevalent diseases, cultural beliefs, and traditional healing practices. Emphasizing the integration of indigenous wisdom with modern healthcare, it proposes holistic solutions for addressing health disparities among tribal populations in India.

Keywords:

Healthcare practice; Tribal culture; Tribal Communities; Indigenous Practices.

Citation: Ashutosh Parhi, Rabi Narayan Subudhi, Shiva Ram Patnaik and Swapna Samal (2024). Health Challenges and Indigenous Practices: A Comprehensive Study of Tribal Communities in India. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res. 6 (S), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2024.v6.nS.id1248.p8