Rural-Urban differences in reproductive health status: An anthropological study among the santal female

The present study aimed at assessing the reproductive health status of Santal female of the Purulia and Nadia district in West Bengal. About 202 female (rural-100 & urban-102) in the age range of 15–59 years were interviewed regarding age at menarche, age at marriage, age at first conception, menstrual problems and female's perception towards health in a cross-sectional design. Non-literacy was documented to an extent of 70% in rural area among the Santal female where as only 30.39% female were non-literate in urban area. Non-literate female were found mostly in rural area than urban area and they were at risk of developing menstrual irregularity than educated female. It was found from this present study that age at marriage of female in rural area (Mean-17.10±1.74) is earlier than that of the santal female of the urban area (Mean-18.73±2.99). A significant difference is present between the BMI of Rural (Mean-18.96±2.28) and Urban (Mean-23.01±3.64) married female of Santal population. This is because of the lack of knowledge and they are not all are aware of the affect of the early marriage. In conclusion, it is inferred that Santal female are subjected to significant reproductive health risks mediated by socio-economic conditions.