Indian Journal of Health Social Work
(UGC Care List Journal)
ABSTRACT
Background, aims & objective: This article aims to understand the sexual and reproductive
health status i.e. current knowledge, attitude and practices of female migrant workers in the
reproductive age group of 15- 49 years who work in the lowest rungs of the unorganized sector
jobs, and analyse the information using a socio- ecological lens. For the purpose of this study,
sexual and reproductive health encompasses the domains of menstruation and menstrual hygiene
management, maternal health, contraception, unwanted pregnancies and abortions.Methodology:
The article is based on a literature review in the domains of sexual and reproductive health
namely menstruation and menstrual hygiene management, maternal health, contraception,
unwanted pregnancies and abortions, combined with the field experiences and interactions of
the authors with the study respondents i.e. female migrant workers. Perspectives of healthcare
workers was also sought, by virtue of their work with the migrant community of providing maternal
healthcare and awareness and service provision related to contraception.Results and
conclusion: By embedding the field observations and study data obtained through interactions
in a socio-ecological framework, we move away from a traditional medical understanding of the
topic and instead look at it from the perspective of many factors present at every level of the
framework that are at play and together shape the sexual and reproductive health of female
workers.
Keywords: Sexual and reproductive health, Female migrant workers, Socio-ecological framework.
