Search

Background: Despite generally high agrobiodiversity, the Khasi and Garo indigenous people in Meghalaya have poor nutritional status among children and women. Aim: To assess the dietary diversity of the Khasi and Garo indigenous women of reproductive age in Meghalaya, while examining the associated factors that affect it and to map the diversity of local food plants. Methods: A dietary survey was conducted through 24-hour recall with 276 women from 28 villages of Meghalaya. The mapping of local food plants was conducted through key informant interviews and focus group discussions in the same villages. Results: The mean minimum dietary diversity for women is 4.22 (SD ±1.26); with one-third (37%) of the women attaining a minimum dietary diversity of five or more food groups in a day. There were significant differences in the dietary diversity among the indigenous groups, the Garo community attaining higher minimum dietary diversity for women. There was also an inverse association between the number of land uses and dietary diversity. The mean number of food plants (including crop varieties) found in each village is 203 (SD±45.7). Conclusions: There is potential to enhance dietary diversity through diversifying lesser consumed crops such as vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables in existing land holdings. Also, proper management and access to the commons will provide a sustainable resource base for diet and food security, enhance dietary diversity and bridge the hidden hunger among children and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among food practices that foster climate resilience, traditional agricultural practices of Indigenous communities have been recognized and noted in recent times. These forms of agriculture include shifting cultivation and its adaptations across communities in the tropics. However, the policy narrative around shifting cultivation is rooted in its misunderstanding, as it was once seen as primitive and backward. New research and a reinterpretation of existing research present challenges to long-held policies that have discouraged and deterred the practice of shifting cultivation. With the onset of this new narrative is a call to action that seeks a rethinking by policymakers and governance actors around the nature and merits of traditional agriculture. Through the case of Meghalaya, a small hilly state in the northeastern region of India largely inhabited by Indigenous Peoples, this commentary aims to provide the dominant narrative at the local context, evidence of the adaptations in shifting cultivation that contribute to sustainability, and the need to rethink policy relating to shifting cultivation at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work with rural communities in Meghalaya has brought about an understanding of realities that exist. The key issues that have been brought to light are the 'dependency' of communities on government welfare programmes and the lack of a 'development' vision by the indigenous communities. In such a context, the need is also to engage at the macro level and focus on advocacy, policy change, use of social work research for advocacy, rights based sensitization and social action. This paper therefore aims to analyse the rural indigenous communities, the social workers' role in these communities and the implications to social work education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work research has been well established in developed countries like the United States of America. In India, social work research is yet to establish its distinctiveness in research. This paper seeks to assess the contribution of social work researchers towards the needs of policy decision makers and the challenges faced by them. Two studies were conducted, acting as reference points to discuss the objective of this paper. These studies were conducted in the North Eastern region of India, in the State of Meghalaya, which is largely inhabited by people of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo origins. These studies were commissioned by the Indian Government. One of the studies (on single mothers) was commissioned by the Department of Social Welfare. In this study, focus group discussions were conducted in 2 villages and a household survey in another 7 villages. The second study was commissioned by the National Commission for Women, and assessed the status of women in the State. The household survey was conducted in 1,081 households within 7 districts. It is difficult to claim that social work researchers in India have been able to contribute towards the needs of policy makers, as social work research is treated as falling within the ambit of social science research. The challenges faced by social worker researchers include aspects like epistemological differences, the difficulty to use the research process as an empowering tool, the cultural insensitivity resulting from already designed data collection tools, the limited access to peer reviewed journals, financial resources, and the limited platform to publish social work research. These aspects are also discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives India accounts for about seven per cent of the global cancer burden with the highest cancer incidence reported from the North-Eastern Region (NER), including Meghalaya. Despite this, there is paucity of published studies on health seeking behaviour for cancer in the NER. To address this gap, this study used a qualitative approach to document patient, caregiver and provider perspectives to understand the factors influencing healthcare seeking for cancers in Meghalaya. Methods In-depth interviews were undertaken with 37 individuals diagnosed with one of the top five cancers in Meghalaya, namely, oesophageal, breast, oral, cervical and lung cancer. They were identified from the State referral cancer hospital. Twelve caregivers and five healthcare providers were also interviewed. All interviews were conducted in the local language using semi-structured interview guides. Transcripts were translated to English, coded, categorized and analyzed using thematic framework content analysis approach. Results A key factor influencing delayed cancer treatment in Meghalaya included misconceptions regarding the causes of cancer and cultural concepts such as bih and skai (Khasi language), i.e. notions of a figurative 'poison' or ill intent that makes one susceptible to illness. A general reluctance to discuss cancer diagnoses, perceived stigma, apprehension of treatment methods influenced their decision. Other factors included negligence and misinterpretation of early symptoms of cancer, self-management, preference for traditional medicines, financial constraints and health system-related factors. Interpretation & conclusions This study underscores the importance of addressing barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment in indigenous populations in northeast India, advocating for culturally appropriate messaging, capacity building for healthcare workers, integration of traditional healers, and community involvement to enhance early healthcare seeking and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]