Rural-Urban Inequalities in Women’s Health Deprivation in India: A Multidimensional State-wise Study Using Principal Component Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v13.i4.547Keywords:
Women’s health, Health deprivation, Principal Component Analysis, Rural-urban inequalityAbstract
Although women constitute nearly half of India’s population, the country’s healthcare system continues to face significant disparities, particularly between rural and urban regions. Using data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021), a Multidimensional Women’s Health Deprivation Index (MWHDI) was developed through principal component analysis to evaluate the extent of rural-urban inequalities in women’s health. The index encompasses 11 key dimensions, including age at first childbirth, prevalence of child marriage, access to shared household facilities, clean water, and electricity, as well as employment status, health insurance coverage, place of delivery, literacy levels, and exposure to violence. The results indicate that Bihar experiences high levels of deprivation in both rural and urban areas, reflecting persistent systemic challenges. In contrast, Goa and Mizoram exhibit low levels of deprivation, suggesting stronger healthcare infrastructure and social development. The MWHDI highlights the urgent need for targeted, region-specific policies to reduce women’s health disparities across India.
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