Empowering Tribal Health Equity: A Study of Social Work Interventions in the Tribal Communities of Raigad, Maharashtra

Abstract

This paper investigates the role and efficacy of social work interventions in addressing the persistent health inequities faced by the tribal (Adivasi) populations in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. Despite being home to significant industrial corridors, Raigad's tribal communities, primarily from the Thakar, Mahadev Koli, and Katkari tribes, continue to experience stark health disparities rooted in social determinants such as poverty, geographical isolation, cultural barriers, and political marginalization. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach—including survey data from 250 tribal households across five talukas, semi-structured interviews with community health workers (ASHAs), and focus group discussions with community members—this study evaluates a multi-pronged social work intervention model. Key findings indicate that interventions focusing on community-led monitoring, cultural brokerage, and health system navigation significantly improved healthcare access and outcomes. Specifically, the formation of Village Health Committees (VHCs) correlated with a 40% increase in institutional deliveries and a 35% rise in completed childhood immunization schedules. However, challenges remain in managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and addressing the underlying determinants of malnutrition. The paper concludes that sustainable health equity in tribal regions requires a shift from a purely biomedical model to a community-centric social work paradigm that empowers Adivasi communities as active agents in their health governance.