A comprehensive review on tribal health status in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir

The present study aims to examine the health status of tribal communities in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Analysis of related literature found that the health status of the indigenous people has worsened than the rest of the population of Jammu and Kashmir. Similar and responsible factors found to be consistent, such as self-medication, traditional and informal healing practices, gender bias, scarcity of knowledge, illiteracy, poverty, socio-cultural and environmental factors, steep location, unemployment, absence of doctors, unavailability of advanced medicine and proper healthcare facilities in the pastoral sites, and strong belief in magic and supernatural forces. The objective of this study is fulfilled by the secondary source of data. The characteristics of the district’s tribal population are similar to other pastoral communities residing in different districts of Jammu and Kashmir; due to their shared culture, same economic and educational status, and religious beliefs, rituals, and practices, similar factors are found in the study area which is directly or indirectly contributing in worsening the health status among tribals. More efforts, guidance, and awareness would help the tribals to cope and deal with health-related issues.