Paper short abstract:

This paper will look at the food strategies of the Garos of India over time. It will also try and study its ramifications on gender, allocation of food and allocation of work etc. Ultimately it will try to analyse how these play an impact on health issues and if so to what extent.

Paper long abstract:

It is generally assumed that just as in a patrilineal or patriarchal society, men and boys are treated better and have a better status than women, it would be the converse in a matrilineal society. This paper explores this notion through the universe of food, food getting activities, and food allocation and its relation to broader health issues.

The matrilineal group discussed are the Garos a tribe living in North-Eastern India traditionally dependent on shifting cultivation. This form of dry cultivation is done on a rotation basis for multiple crops, where family (both men and women, and children) and kin-members share in work and outcome distribution. In the state of Assam where Garos are found in substantial number, this traditional form of food-getting is now overtaken by wet cultivation, where rice and vegetables are grown in designated plots. The earlier gender equation prevalent in dry cultivation has to some extent been affected by this change in economy. Interestingly again, in the present times, this form of cultivation too is beginning to be replaced by cash crop plantations, where crops with a higher market value such as cashews, oranges, betelnut etc. are being targeted and planted. This whole scenario of change from one to the other systems of agriculture, I believe, is a result of the Garos' adaptation to changing times and environment. Whether this change in the food getting activities has any impact on food allocation and ultimately on health is proposed to be discussed herein.

Paper short abstract:

The main objective of the present study is to find out the factors associated with the deterioration of respiratory function among Silk Industry Workers.

Paper long abstract:

The main objective of the present study is to find out the factors associated with the deterioration of respiratory function among Silk Industry Workers.

The sample consisted of 345 above the age of 20 years and 335 Non Silk Industry Workers of same area were studied. All the respondents were interviewed and measured Statistical analyses. Univariate analysis of the factors for symptomatic byssinosis showed that dusty worksites, heavy smoking and duration of work were significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that working in the scouring (odds ratio 12.6) and spinning, heavy smoking (odds ratio 14.6) and more than 10 years of service were independent significant risk factors.

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Paper short abstract:

This Panel explores how Health is not perceived the same way by all members of a community giving rise to confusion about the concept of health. Socio-cultural factors, gender relations and emerging regional demographic trends affects the health status.

Paper long abstract:

There is a recognition that our health is affected by many factors including where we live, what we eat, genetics, our income, our educational status and our social relationships - these are known as "social determinants of health." A social gradient in health runs through society, with those that are poorest generally suffering the worst health. The relationship between social conditions and factors influencing health has been a major interest of mankind- people have generally tended to view health problems from the perspective of their own societies and cultures. Knowledge about norms, values, beliefs, social structures and life styles has provided insight not only about the social organization of human resources, but also about nature and causes of illness. The recognition of the significance of the complex relationship between social, cultural factors and the level of the health characteristics of the people- the specific social groups has lead to the development of Medi!

cal anthropology as an important area within Anthropology, concerned with social and cultural facets of health. Anthropologists, thus utilize health as an efficient parameter and indicator for exploring and analyzing the latent mechanism of socio-cultural life of a group.

Gender determines the power relation and resource allocation between the two sexes. It connotes that gender creates differences, which are specific to a given culture. These differences often work to the disadvantage of women. These inequalities get ramified into various forms of vulnerabilities to illness, health status, accessibility and quality of health care.

Paper short abstract:

Sa'dan Toraja from South Sulawesi, Indonesia has been the sufferers of strange Indonesian Govt rules as they do not belong to any of the five state recognised religions. Forced to be the follower of one of them, their religious practice, identity and the Indonesian nationality is threatened.

Paper long abstract:

Primarily wet-rice farmers, Sa'dan Toraja are the marginalised tribal group located in the northern highlands of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Their indigenous religion, known as Aluk to Dolo or "Way of the Ancestors", like most indigenous religions of small-scale societies, is characteristically animist and highly localized, being intimately linked with the context in which it has evolved. Following the Indonesian Government's rule that the citizens of the country has to be followers of either of the five recognized religions( Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism , Catholicism and Protestantism) without fail. If the local tribal practices of belief system is continued, the practitioners would not get their ID of the nation. This forced step has led the group to be converted either as Muslim or Christian( a few of them being Hindu too). In all three circumstances, Toraja people are losing their traditional way of life. Paper evaluates this inner struggle of them and makes an attempt to locate their destiny.

Paper short abstract:

The incidence of maternal mortality in Bangladesh is recently falling but it is still beyond the expectation. Majority of married adolescents are poorly educated and lacking from their childbearing knowledge. This paper will explore the factors associated with the problems and appropriate remedies.

Paper long abstract:

The socio-political well being of female adolescents' reproductive problems in Bangladesh is largely remained to be studied. The incidence of maternal mortality in Bangladesh is recently decreasing; however though, it is still beyond the expectation in compare with that of the developed countries. Majority of married women in Bangladesh are poorly educated and lacking from their childbearing and its related knowledge significantly. In fact, the inadequate reproductive health- cares facilities, lacks of educational opportunities; moreover, the cultural traditions in Bangladesh are accounted for responsibility. The main focuses of the paper are to find out the causes and consequences of health problems of married female adolescents in Bangladesh and there by their gender preference, socio-religious backgrounds and individual family cultures; their awareness of child bearing and health care. The data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS-2007) will be used in this study, which has been collected on a nationally representative multistage cluster sampling. The women in developed countries in contrast are most aware of these issues and receiving proper medical care as the need. It is evident that the reproductive health matters play crucial role in empowering of women life hood to achieve a happy society. However, the pragmatic studies on this important event in Bangladesh are largely remained to be explored. It is therefore imperative to investigate the socio-demographic, socio-economic and political profile of women at the age group of 10-19 years in Bangladesh and identify appropriate strategies to reduce such heart rendering problems in our society.