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CHAPTER – 8

SUMMARY AND FINDINGS

8.1 Rationale of the Problem

Medical Sociology is concerned with the social and consequences of

health and illness (Cockerham, 2011:1). “Medical sociology as the study of

health care as it is institutionalized in society, and of health, or illness and it‟s

relationship to social factors” (Weiss, 2000 :1). Medical Sociology is

sociological Analysis of medical organizations and Institutions the production of

knowledge and section of methods-professionals and the social or cultural (rather

then clinical or bodily) effect of medical practice.

(en.wikipeida.org/wiki/medical.sociology). Medical Sociology is the subfield

which applies the perspective, conceptualization, theories and methodologies of

sociology to phenomena having to do with human health and disease. As a

specialization, medical sociology encompasses a body of knowledge which

places health and disease in social, cultural, and behavioral context

(weiss,2000:1-2).

Health is considered as a fundamental human right word wide social goal.

It is essential to the satisfaction of basic human needs and improves the quality of

life (Mathu, 2008: 332). Health is individuals capacity to perform roles and tasks

in everyday living and acknowledges that there are social differences in defining

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health (Weiss, 2000:107). Health is a state of complete physical, mental and

social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (W.H.O.

1995). Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; It is a

possible concept, emphasizing social and personal resources as well physical

capabilities; (Sundar, 2007 : 97).

Women‟s health involves women‟s emotional, social cultural, spiritual

and physical well being, and is determined by the social, political, cultural and

economic context of women‟s lives, as well as by Biology (www.med

women‟shealth.html). Women‟s health refer to health status of women and the

dispararities in health between the sexes are often critical indicators of equality in

a society (W.H.O, : 1986). Women‟s health is the effect of gender on disease and

health the encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues

(http://medical-dectionary thefreedictionay.com)

Reproductive health means a satisfying, safe sex life, free from the fear of

disease and free from coercion and violence (Mathu, 2008 : 332). Reproductive

health is a state which people have the ability to reproduce and regulate their

fertility (Sinha, 2007 : 329). Reproductive health a state of complete physical,

mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,

in all matters related to reproductive system, it function and process (Sakhuja,

2008 : 102). The reproductive health of women is the backbone of every family,

society and nation. Although reproductive health is the integral part of women‟s

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general health, despite the fact, it needs extra care and precaution during specific

time and situation (Sakhuja, 2008: 101).

Postnatal means reproductive health status of a women after child birth or

delivery. Post natal period refers to the period after giving birth. During this

period, a new mother must be assessed for any tears and required treatment must

be embarked on. Natural, social, medical activities and events occurring after

birth. A suitable subdivision is: early postnatal within 48 hours of birth; delayed

postnatal- 2 to 7 days; late postnatal-1 to 4 weeks. The postnatal period is

associated with physiological psychological and social changes, which can

influences sexual and reproductive health (Medical-dictionary/postnatal).

The sociologists Like Alok Ranjan Chauaria, 2004; M.N. Sivakumar,

1999; Adrienne M. Lucas, 2013; study the impact of fertility on the women‟s

health. Pawan Kumar Sharma and Komila Parthi, 2004; Abishek Singh, Faujdar

Ram, Rajiv Ranjan, 2006; Anoshua Chaudhury, 2008; study the reproductive

health services and program in India. A.S. Dey and A. Shrivastava, 2011; A.

Sudarshan Reddy and A. Neelima, 2009; Narendra Singh & Binod C. Agarwal,

2009; study the impact of Health Communication, Health care, and Health

modernity on people‟s. Nandini Bhattachary and Subha Ray, 2009; study the

practice of Induced Abortion seekers of Kolkata, Arvinda Meera & Guntupalli

and Parveen Nagia, 2008; Study the women‟s autonomy, Contraceptive use and

fertility. K.V. Narayana, 2003; study the role of medical care. Santosh Jatrana,

2007; study the importance of child care arrangement of working mothers.

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Pragya Sharma, 2009; study the health behaviour of Raikas. H.C. Srivastava,

2011; study the male involvement as supportive partners in women‟s

reproductive health.

Thus, there are large number of studies on various dimensions of health,

but despite all there are few studies on reproductive health, there is no study

which focuses on postnatal reproductive health care. There is the need to conduct

such type of study which explore the various aspect of postnatal reproductive

health illness and care.

8.2 Statement of the Problem

In the light of the above mentioned framework following objectives will

be undertaken.

1. To assess the socio-economic profile the women.

2. To identify the attitude towards the age at Marriage, pregnancy/delivery

and children.

3. To know the attitude of women and their family members after child birth.

4. To examine the prevalence of post-delivery complications.

5. To indentify the source of consultation/treatment for post delivery

complications.

The first objective takes note of the socio-economic profile of the

women in terms of age, religion, caste, education, occupation, income,

pattern of family, type of house etc.

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The second objectives take note of age at marriage, age at first

pregnancy, age at first delivery and no. of children.

The third objective takes note of the place of delivery, who perform

delivery, precautions taken after delivery, time taken to resume work

after delivery and pattern of care of new born children.

The fourth objective takes note of the post-delivery complications

like-high fever, lower abdominal pain, excessive bleeding, severe

headache etc.

The fifth objective takes note of the source of

consultation/treatment for post-delivery complications and source of

consultation/treatment by persons providers for post-delivery

complication in a town.

8.3 Area of Study

Deoband town has been selected for the purpose of the study. Deoband is

situated in the North from Meerut, the distance of Deoband from Meerut is

83Km. and 161Km. from Delhi. The total population of Deoband is 274307

(according to 2011 census). In total population Muslims is 138523, 50.5% and

Hindus is 133402, 48.5% Deoband is surrounded by the famous cities like

Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee and Haridwar. There lives many caste in

this town. I have selected 100 respondents of two communities for interview

guide 50 Hindu and 50 Muslim women.

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8.4 Methodology

The data for the present study have been collected from 100 respondents

for the require fulfillment of the information. The data have been collected

through interview guide/schedule and observation method. Data have been

selected by using the purposive sampling. I deiced to conduct the interview from

the age group of 21-45 years old women‟s of two communities women (50

Hindu and 50 Muslim) of this town for collecting the information. Data have

been analyzed using simple statistical method i.e. single variate tables.

8.5 Findings

This research work is concentrated mainly on the socio-economic profile

of the women, Indentify the attitude towards the age at Marriage,

pregnancy/delivery and children, know the attitude of women and their family

members after child birth, specifically examine the prevalence of post-delivery

complications. And finally, identify the source of consultation/ treatment for post

delivery complications. Keeping all the above facts in view, the researcher has

decided to investigate the phenomenon of „Postnatal and reproductive health care

of women in Deoband town.

8.5.1 Socio – Economic Profile of the Women

The socio–economic profile of the respondents play an important role

because it affects every aspect of respondent day to day life. The socio–economic

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profile with respect to the following variables have been include as age, religion,

caste, education, size of family, occupation and income of the respondent. The

respondents who belong to different socio–economic profile, the aspect about

them are as below :

(i) Age – Larger segment in Muslim women belong to the low age group

(21-25), whereas the larger segment in Hindu women belong to high

age group of (26-30). The Muslim women are more young in

comparison to Hindu women.

(ii) Religion – 50 respondents belong to Hindu religion and 50

respondents belong to Muslim religion.

(iii) Caste – Larger segment in Hindu women belong to middle caste

where as the larger segment in Muslim women belong to lower caste.

(iv) Education – Among the illiterate Muslim women are more in

comparison to Hindu women whereas graduate and post graduate

Hindu women are more in comparison to Muslim women.

Thus Hindu women are more educated in comparison to Muslim

women.

(v) Occupation – The Hindu women are more in service/teaching

profession in comparison to Muslim women, whereas among the

housewives Muslims women are more in comparison to Hindu

women.

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(vi) Type of family – Larger segment of Muslim women live in nuclear

families, whereas the larger segment of Hindu women live in joint

families.

(vii) Size of family – More Hindu women live is small families in

comparison to Muslim women where as more Muslim women lives in

large families size in comparison to Hindu women.

(viii) Income – Among the poor income (1000 to 4000) group Muslim

women are in majority in comparison to Hindu women where as

among the higher income (16000 & above) group almost all women

are Hindu.

(ix) (a) Type of house – Larger segment of Muslim women live in Kaccha

house, whereas larger segment of Hindu women live in Pakka

house.

(b) No. of Rooms – More Muslim women live in single room set

house in comparison to Hindu women whereas more Hindu

women lives in 4 or 5 room set house in comparison to Muslim

women.

(c) Light & Ventilation – Almost all Hindu and Muslim women

have light and ventilation in their houses.

(d) Separate Kitchen – More Hindu women have separate kitchen

in their houses whereas only few Muslim women have separate

kitchen in their houses.

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(e) Bathroom – All Hindu women have bathroom in their houses

whereas very few no. of Muslim women have separate bathroom

in their houses.

(f) Toilet – All most all Hindu and Muslim women have separate

toilets in their houses.

8.5.2 Attitude Towards Marriage, Pregnancy/Delivery and

Children

Marriage is considered as an essential social institution to enter in family

life and for procreation of new generations, almost all societies, traditional or

modern. In India unlike some other countries, reproduction and fertility of

adolescents, young and adults occur mainly within the context of marriage.

(i) Age at marriage – Majority of Muslim women got married at the age

of (15-20) & majority of Hindu women got married at the age of (21-

25). Thus, Muslim women got married at an early age as compare to

Hindu women.

(ii) Age at first pregnancy – Large no. of Muslim women got pregnant

at the age of (17-20), and largest segment of Muslim women got

pregnant at an early age in comparison to Hindu women.

(iii) Age at first delivery – Large segment of Muslim women performed

delivery at the low age of (18-21) whaereas majority of Hindu

women performed delivery at the right age of (22-25), thus Muslim

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women performed delivery in early age in the comparison to Hindu

women.

(iv) No. of children – More Hindu women have 2 or 3 children in

comparison to Muslim women whereas large segment of Muslim

women have more children mainly 5 and above in comparison to

Hindu. Thus, Muslim women have more children in comparison to

Hindu women.

8.5.3. Attitude of Women and Their Family Members

Attitude of women and their family members may be observed on

precaution and care taking during pregnancy, in term of type of precautions and

care taking, place of delivery, who perform delivery, precautions taken after

delivery problems and pattern care of new born children during the household

chores and outside work, the facts about all that are as below :

(i) Place of Delivery – Large segment of Muslim women‟s delivery

have take place at home whereas the large segment of Hindu

women‟s go to the hospital or near by nursing home for delivery.

(ii) Type of Delivery – Large majority of the Muslim women

performed normal delivery whereas (1/6) of Hindu women

performed caesarean delivery.

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(iii) Pregnancy Wastage – The pregnancy wastage among Muslim

women are more in comparison to Hindu women, whereas most of

Hindu women never face this situation.

(iv) Who Perform Delivery – Delivery of almost Hindu women

performed by lady doctor whereas half delivery case of Muslim

women still performed by midwives (Dai).

(v) Precaution taken after Delivery – More Hindu women take

complete rest and use fruit, milk, ghee and they also use tonic &

medicine after delivery or child birth in comparison to Muslim

women.

(vi) Who support during rest period – Most Hindu women are cared

by their husbands in comparison to Muslim women and Muslim

women are more cared by their mother-in-laws during their rest

period. Thus, In Hindus their Husbands are more careful.

(vii) Time taken to resume work after Delivery –Time taken by

Muslim Women to resume at work is 1 month after delivery in

comparison to Hindu women. And large segment of Hindu women

resume work after 45 days of delivery, thus, Hindu women take rest

more in comparison to Muslim women.

(viii) Pattern care of new born children during household chores and

outside work – More Muslim women take care of child themselves

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in comparison to Hindu women where as in Hindu women their In-

laws take care of child in comparison to Muslim women.

8.5.4 Post Delivery Complications

Post delivery complications related to mother and infant are as below-

(i) Post Delivery Complications Related to Mother

More Hindu women are suffering from various disease like-Back pain,

Weakness and lower abdominal pain in comparison to Muslim women. Another

contrary finding is that Muslim women are in majority who have no disease in

comparison to Hindu women.

(ii) Post Delivery Complications Related to Infant

Muslim infant are more healthy in comparison to Hindu infant.

8.5.5 Source of Consulation/ Treatment for Post Delivery

Complications

Source of consultation and treatment for Post-delivery complications are

as below-

(i) Source of Consultation/ treatment for Post Delivery Complication

Majority of Hindu Women go to private hospital or near by nursing home

for their consultation and treatment, whereas majority of Muslim women

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approach to their relatives and friends for their consultation and treatment.

(ii) Source of Consultation/ treatment by Person for Post Delivery

Complication

Majority of Hindu Women‟s consulted by doctor for their treatment in the

comparison to Muslim women, whereas more Muslim women, Consult friends

for their treatment in comparison to Hindu Women.

8.6 Summing up of Findings

There are a brief summary of postnatal reproductive health care of women

are as below :

1. Majority of Muslim women belong to low age group (21-25), lower caste,

illiterate, house wives, live mostly in nuclear and large family size, have

lower income group (1000-4000), live in Kaccha house and single room

set don‟t‟ have separate kitchen and bathroom whereas majority of Hindu

women belong to high age group (26-30), middle caste, graduate & post

graduate, engage in Service/Teaching profession, live in joint and small

family size have higher income group (16000 & above), live in Pakka

house and 4-5 room have separate kitchen, bathroom & Toilet.

2. Majority of Muslim women got married at an early age (15-20), got

pregnant and delivery at an early age, and have large no. of children (5

and above) whereas majority of Hindu women got married at right age

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(21-25), got pregnant at right age, got delivery at an age more than

Muslim and have small no. of children 2 or 3.

3. Majority of Muslim women delivery take place at home, performed

normal delivery, face the causes of pregnancy wastage, whose delivery

performed by midwives (Dai), don‟t get any special diet or medical care,

cared by their mother in laws, time taken to resume work after one month

of delivery, take care of child themselves whereas majority of Hindu

women go to the hospital or nearby nursing home, never face pregnancy

wastage, delivery performed by lady doctor, take complete rest & use

fruit, milk, ghee etc. & also use tonic & medicine, cared by their

husbands, time taken to resume work after 45 days, In-laws take care of

their children.

4. Majority of Muslim women have no disease after post natal period, have

healthy infant whereas majority of Hindu women suffer from various

disease like back pain, weakness & lower abdomen pain after postnatal

period, have weak babies.

5. Majority of Muslim women approach to their-relatives and friends for

consultation/treatment, and also consult with neighbours whereas

Majority of Hindu women go to private hospital or near by nursing home

for their consultation/ treatment, consult and take treatment by Doctor.