Linking Lifestyle of Marginalized Gujjar Population in Himachal.
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Date
2014-04
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Abstract
It was a qualitative enquiry conducted amongst Gujjar population of Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh (HP). The
study was carried out to link various lifestyle factors of the Gujjar population with the 2002 outbreak of plague in HP.
Focus Group discussions guide was prepared beforehand which had information about education, livelihood, dietary
pattern, relationships, personal hygiene and habits and health care utilization. It was emerged out of the study that
the population has poor literacy levels, poor personal hygiene, overcrowding in hutments, closely-knit social structure,
lack of awareness about common diseases, and frequent visits to forests and living in caves during their visits. Further,
government health care facilities are not routinely utilized by the Gujjar community. These factors might lead to
increased proximity and exposure to wild rats among Gujjar population, thus increasing their susceptibility to plague.
They are, therefore a potential link between any source of infection in forests and in native population of HP and other
states. The government agencies should take various measures to increase health care access of such vulnerable
population through outreach health care programs.
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Keywords
Gujjar population, Himachal Pradesh, Outbreak, Plague
Citation
Goel Sonu, Gauri Ajay, Kaur Harvinder, Chauhan Umesh Singh, Singh Amarjeet. Linking Lifestyle of Marginalized Gujjar Population in Himachal. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2014 Apr-June; 58(2): 113-115.