An An Assessment of Household Environment and Women’s Health in Thiruverumbur Taluk of Tiruchirappalli District

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of the household environment on women’s health status in Thiruverumbur Taluk of Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu. The household environment encompassing natural parameters and built infrastructure such as housing type, sanitation, water sources, and cooking fuel serves as a primary determinant of health, with inadequate sanitation and unsafe water globally accounting for around 25% of preventable ill health. Empirical findings from N = 100 survey respondents reveal that open drainage networks (chi^2 = 63.12, p < 0.0001$) and untreated drinking water (chi^2 = 54.08, p < 0.0001) are key environmental risk factors significantly associated with adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, 74% of households rely on open waste storage and 46% depend on public water sources, creating persistent environmental hygiene vulnerabilities for women. The study suggests policy measures including universal tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission and expanded toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Future research should utilize GIS-based environmental risk mapping, longitudinal health tracking, and comparative analyses across Tamil Nadu districts to evaluate the long-term impact of public health interventions on women’s well-being.