HEALTH PROFILE OF 2 SOCIAL-GROUPS LIVING IN A SQUATTER SETTLEMENT IN CALCUTTA

Health and well-being of individuals largely depend on socioeconomic a nal environmental conditions. The low socioeconomic groups face the hi ghest health burdens. In the present study an attempt has been made to compare and contrast the health related traits prevalent in true soci al groups (Hindu and Muslim), living in a squatter settlement in Calcu tta, India. The study has been conducted on women between 20 to 40 yea rs of age. The results show that the Muslims are more frequently affec ted with respect to most of the traits than the Hindus, but the differ ence is significant with respect to only a few traits. Thus, micro-cul tural traits associated with religion do not seem to have much effect on the health related traits considered in this study.