Sociocultural Barriers to Rural Health: A Review of Beliefs, Stigma, and Health-Seeking Behaviour

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm2025.v05.n02.004

Keywords:

Rural health, sociocultural barriers, stigma, health-seeking behaviour, traditional beliefs, India, public health, social determinants

Abstract

This review-based research paper explores the sociocultural barriers that inhibit effective healthcare access and utilization in rural India. The rural health landscape is marked by disparities rooted not only in economic and infrastructural deficits but also in deep-seated cultural beliefs, social stigmas, and behavioural norms that shape individual and collective responses to illness. Drawing from a range of scholarly literature, the paper investigates how traditional beliefs, gender roles, caste hierarchies, and community-level stigma impede timely and adequate health-seeking behaviour. It also examines the intersectionality of these factors and their implications for health policy and practice. The review identifies patterns of delay, avoidance, and alternative health practices that are culturally sanctioned. Finally, it highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive health interventions that address these barriers at both the systemic and grassroots levels.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Archana Pal, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun

    Dr. Archana Pal is an Associate Professor of Sociology at D.A.V (P.G) College, Dehradun. Dr Archana has completed her Ph.D in Sociology from Lucknow University in 2016. She has a teaching career and research experience of 25 years, in which she has done extensive field-based studies. She has prepared a Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan for Hydro Power Project on river Tons. She is currently monitoring the implementation of R&R (Rehabilitation and Resettlement) plan of another Hydro Power Project on river Tons at Mori in District Uttarkashi. She has also completed a UGC Minor Project on Marginalized group. In addition to attending several conferences she has convened a National Conference of SAUK (Sociology Association of Uttarakhand) in 2016. She has presented a paper as a co-author in XVII World Congress Sociology 2010 held at Sweden. She has presented research paper in XVIII World Congress Sociology 2014 held at Japan. She has published research work in various National and International Journals. Her area of interest are Sociology of Development and change, Leisure, Sociology of Health and other social issues of concern.

  • Dr. Onima Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun

    Dr. Onima Sharma is Associate Professor of Sociology at D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun. With over 15 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration, she specializes in Sociology of Ageing, Leisure Studies, and Tribal Studies. She also serves as Coordinator of IQAC and IGNOU Study Centre 2705. A PhD from HNB Garhwal University, she has presented papers at the ISA World Congress of Sociology in Sweden (2010), Japan (2014), and Melbourne (2022). She has published numerous research papers in reputed national and international journals. Dr. Sharma is also the founder of Mantrana Society, promoting student leadership and innovation.

  • Dr. Satyam Dwivedi, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun

    Dr. Satyam Dwivedi is an Associate Professor of Sociology at D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun, affiliated with HNB Garhwal Central University, Srinagar Garhwal (Uttarakhand). He holds a Postgraduate degree (2006) and a Ph.D. in Sociology (2014) from Lucknow University. With 17 years of teaching and research experience since 2008, Dr. Dwivedi has contributed significantly to the academic field through his dedication to sociological education and inquiry. He has published extensively in national and international journals and has presented papers at various academic conferences. Apart from this he also worked as the organizing secretary of the conference of Sociology Association, Uttarakhand (SAUK) held in the year 2016. His areas of interest include rural society, social change, and Sociology of health. He is actively engaged in mentoring students and contributing to the advancement of sociological discourse in higher education.

References

Bora, J. K., Saikia, N., & Lutz, W. (2020). Disparities in health care access and health outcomes among caste groups in India. Health Affairs, 39(3), 470–478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01822

Census of India. (2011). Population Enumeration Data. Government of India.

Das, M. B., & Gupta, M. D. (2019). Gender and caste in India: Implications for health equity. World Bank.

Jejeebhoy, S., Santhya, K. G., & Acharya, R. (2011). Women's autonomy and reproductive health. Economic and Political Weekly, 46(33), 65–72.

Kumar, S., & Mohanty, S. (2018). Role of self-help groups in health awareness in rural India. Indian Journal of Social Work, 79(4), 431–448.

Narayan, K. V., Kandula, N. R., & Shekhar, N. (2021). Health communication in India: Challenges and opportunities. Social Science & Medicine, 270, 113620.

Rao, K. D., Peters, D. H., & Bandeen-Roche, K. (2014). Towards patient-centered health services in India—a scale to measure patient perceptions of quality. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 26(6), 507–515.

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Published

2025-06-30

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): RRIJM [APR-JUN]

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Pal, A., Sharma, O., & Dwivedi, S. (2025). Sociocultural Barriers to Rural Health: A Review of Beliefs, Stigma, and Health-Seeking Behaviour. Revista Review Index Journal of Multidisciplinary, 5(2), 30-37. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm2025.v05.n02.004