Living condition and life style of Mankhurd slum dwellers

Comprehensive information on slums covering different aspects of their life is essential for formulation of effective programmes and coordinated policies for their improvement and rehabilitation. A sample survey of 229... [ view full abstract ]

Comprehensive information on slums covering different aspects of their life is essential for formulation of effective programmes and coordinated policies for their improvement and rehabilitation. A sample survey of 229 households conducted in Mankhurd slum of Mumbai indicated that average age of slum dwellers was 26 years. One third was illiterate; fifty two percent had age at marriage 15-19 years and average household size 5.4 persons. Fifty percent men were daily wage workers while women were housemaids. Due to scanty water supply a 20 litre vessel cost them Rs. 5. Women used public/common toilet while men preferred open air defecation. They maintained connectivity with their kin at native place and sent remittances. Logistic regression indicated that rich went out for entertainment. Women went less for entertainment. They moved to Mumbai with the help of their relatives/friends and found living arrangement better here. Fifty percent fell sick during last six months mostly from viral infection/fever/malaria. Half of them smoked Bidi/cigarettes while three fourth consumed pan/khaini/gutka and one fourth consumed alcohol. They did so by 20 years of age. Older, primary educated, scheduled castes/ tribes, non Hindus and rich consumed more alcohols. Logistic analysis indicated that richest slum dwellers were much more likely to go out for entertainment than poorest. Other backward classes were 2 times more likely to go out for entertainment than scheduled castes/tribes but women were 70 percent less likely to go out for entertainment than men. It is worth mentioning that slum dwellers having larger family and Muslims suffered more from any illness but rich suffered less. Wealth quintiles, caste and religion were significant predictors for illness. The study recommends for an urgent need to improve the living condition of slum dwellers that face variety of problems.