International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Health Risks and Access to Healthcare Services Among Women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu
Dr. A. Ranjithkumar

Abstract
WSW’s that commonly are ignored and marginalized, though employed in cleaning and maintaining health systems to safety. Nevertheless, their risks for morbidity and mortality, and their utilization of health care resources remain unappreciated. This is a discussion about the socio-economic determinants of risk and healthcare services in women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu, India. It all regarded with the socio-economic realities that face the women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu state. Though vital to public health, such workers are from vulnerable communities; they live in testy financial circumstances and suffer from prejudice. Most of the women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu are contract-based employees or those who are engaged through other unofficial means do not have formal employment, only modest wages, and social protection. This job insecurity makes their health even more vulnerable and with reduced ability to seek for medical attention. Among the important areas of health concern Sanitation Workers especially the women workers are likely to come into contact with poisonous contents and germs. The handling of collection exposes them to various health risks since they work in poorly equipped and sanitized environments; thus, they develop respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, and even gastrointestinal illnesses. In addition to this, they do not receive adequate training and awareness sessions on occupational health and safety hence making them to be vulnerable. The factors that determine the health risks of the Women Sanitation Workers are multiple and socially embedded. The main implications of poverty and low education levels are they deny those people the knowledge of health risks and protective measures. Furthermore, women Sanitation Workers are discriminated against and stigmatized by the society hence they are reluctant to seek health care because when they report to health facilities, they are discriminated against by health care providers. Some of the socio-economic factors that limit women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu to access appropriate Healthcare Services include; They incur high cost out of pocket health expenses and due to financial constraints, they seldom seek early treatment. In addition, poor access to appropriate facilities, especially healthcare, for the sanitation workers and their families along with problems with language and culture with the health care givers keep this community marginalized. In combating the socio-economic factors contributing to the risks women Sanitation Workers are exposed to and the accessibility to health care services, there is the need to adopt an intersectoral and integrated approach. Some of the policy measures which could be employed to enhance women Sanitation Workers socio-economic status include wages and income, employment protection, and social security among others. Besides, promoting health at work might include offering prompt training in occupational health and safeties, ensuring that employees are provided with right personal protective apparels and enhancing sanitation structures at workplaces to avert health perils. In order to improve healthcare service use, further refinement of such barriers requires targeted efforts to focus on the needs of women Sanitation Workers. This entails increasing the existing health insurance options, cutting down on costs required from the latter, as well as increasing the potential of-related healthcare facilities to address the needs of women Sanitation Workers. Further, social campaigns to eliminate prejudice and consciousness raising programmes can prevent social prejudice and discrimination and enable women Sanitation Worker’s access health facilities without any shame. Therefore, it is crucial to identify socio-economic factors that contribute to health risks as well as barrier to using appropriate healthcare services among women Sanitation Workers in Tamil Nadu so as to improve the health status of women sanitation workers as well as realize social justice for them. Through the establishment of policies dealing with health care and various focused strategies, it can be posited that a society will slowly transform in as far as access to health care is concerned; this, coupled with the fact that the humanity in women Sanitation Workers will be acknowledged and respected.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijgws.v12a4