Changing Socio-cultural and economic factors influencing primary health care services in tribal areas of Karnataka India

Primary health care forms an integral part of the country's health care system and is the driving force behind determining policies. The health of rural and tribal people in India has drawn increasing policy attention since 1970. Over the last three decades the various Governments have pursued the long-term goal of promoting an inclusive health programme for rural and tribal people, focusing basic health care through Primary Health Centers (PHCs). More recently, the government has given increased emphasis to the expansion and upgrading of the P.H.C. system Health systems in low income countries with a strong primary care orientation tend to be more pro-poor, equitable and accessible. Maximum use of existing primary health care infrastructure to remove the current inactivity and to gear them up to meet the present and potential challenges of health care. This paper reveals about various soci-cultural and economic factors affecting tribal's health in Karnataka