Work Status and Child Health Among Urban Families in Coimbatore

Abstract

In olden times, women were not allowed to go out of home, and in the traditional society, it was difficult to think of women employment outside home but in modern days, the situation has been changing and female employment outside home has become common. Theoretically, work outside home makes women even more burdened because women are the persons who perform multiple tasks. Women in the lower socio-economic strata are more likely to work than the women in the higher socio-economic level. Many women are forced to work because of their poor economic situation. Women working in unorganized sectors are at greater risk than women working inorganized sectors. Participation of economic activities helps woman have independent income, but on the other hand it may adversely affect the child health. The purpose of this study is to analyze the health status of child among the working mothers. The objectives of this study were to identify the post-partum health care services which includes no of postnatal Check-ups and place were got postpartum care services, Immunizations to children, Breastfeeding practices, and special food taken during post-partum period. For the purpose of the study 147 married mothers. Among them,73 respondents are working mothers and 74 respondents are non-working mothers. Non probability sampling is used to collect data and identified the respondents by snowball sampling techniques. The study concluded that post-partum health care services is difficult due to dual burden of household works and occupational works.