Conducting Polling Booth Survey among Currently Married Women in Selected Districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, India

Agency : Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)

Polling Booth Survey (PBS) was conceptualized to understand the knowledge and the behavioral patterns related to HIV among migrants and their spouses. The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the current level of knowledge, attitude and risk behaviour of currently married women at the identified high out migrant districts of Uttar Pradesh and Odisha and (ii) to assess the exposure to the health related interventions, i.e., current level and type of HIV related health services availed by currently married women in MSDS and Non-MSDS study districts of Uttar Prades and Odisha.

Assuming that the knowledge, attitude and behavior vary significantly by sex, age and marital status, the polling booth surveys were carried out on spouses of migrants and non-migrants in the age group of 15-49 years. Altogether, 120 PBS sessions, with 60 sessions in each state were conducted covering 1235 participants. The respondents for the PBS were selected using a three-stage cluster sampling method which included, (i) selection of blocks; (ii) selection of villages/selection of segments and (iii) selection of respondents. The analysis was done from two aspects, migration status of spouse of the respondents and MSDS implementation status of the selected area. Not much difference was found between the migrant and non- migrant groups on most knowledge and awareness related indicators especially in case of Uttar Pradesh and is indicative of need for renewed efforts for intervention among migrants. The women in the intervention areas (MSDS implemented area, Gorakhpur) in Uttar Pradesh had poor awareness and reported to be indulging in higher risk behaviour than the same group of women in Odisha. This implied that while efforts are needed in both states, more focused and targeted interventions are required in Uttar Pradesh.


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