“FACTORS IMPACTING PHYSICAL HEALTH OF WOMEN: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE SLUM AREAS OF RAWALPINDI”

Abstract

Slum population in the world is estimated to be 1 billion and it is expected to further increase in coming decades. Due to rapid urbanization in Pakistan, there has been drastic increase in slum growth rate. Health of women in slums is a growing concern for Pakistan as they vulnerable to risk factors that result in poor health outcome. Main aim of the study is to analyze the physical health including level of energy, trouble getting to sleep, chronic disease and physical ailment present among women in slum areas. It also aims to identify the factors that impact physical health of women in slum areas such as socio-economic factors, living conditions and level of health awareness. The target area is slum areas present in two municipal corporation of Rawalpindi such as Rawal town and Potohar town Rawalpindi. A mix method is used for this research study including both qualitative and quantitative data. Questionnaires were filled by four hundred slum women and later on focus group discussions were conducted for qualitative research. Chi square and linear regression has been employed to determine the statistical relationship between the independent and dependent variables coupled with a thematic analysis of the qualitative data to identify distinctive patterns in the data. Results show that physical health of slum dwellers is below par as they belong to the marginalized segment of the society. Due to poor socio-economic factors including marriage at young age, illiteracy, poverty, limited decision making power, physical health of women in Rawalpindi slum areas is low.Moreover, substandard living conditions including contaminated water issue, place and fuel for cooking , distance from dumping site, toilet availability and neighborhood act as major contributors in worsening the physical health of slum women and low level of health awareness including personal hygiene, frequency of falling sick and response to treatment takes a toll on physical health status of slum women. Immediate action is required from health authorities to upgrade the slum areas and take measures to improve female slum dweller’s health.