Original Research
Awareness of access to health care: a significant need of the Narikuravar people, India
AUTHORS
Hepsibah Sharmil1 PhD
Cherrie Galletly2 PhD
Janet Kelly3 PhD, Research & Course Coordination *
Ted Wilkes4 (Noongar) BA, Noongar Elder
Anna George1 BSN
Mariyamol Jaison1 BSN
K Karthiga 1 BSN
K Myvizhi1 BSN
Annamalai K (Narikuravar) Narikuravar community member
AFFILIATIONS
1 College of Nursing, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, India
2 Discipline of Psychiatry, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
3 Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
4 Western Australia, Australia
ACCEPTED: 15 September 2025
Early Abstract:
Objectives: To examine access to health care among the Narikuravar community and identify distinct challenges for delivering existing healthcare resources.
Study Design: A mixed-methods study was conducted among local Narikuravar community people in Poonjeri village, Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods: Data was collected from 81 Narikuravar individuals using a structured questionnaire describing demographic characteristics, health-seeking behaviour and the availability of Government-issued healthcare cards. Qualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted. Content analysis of the transcribed data was performed to achieve a deeper insight into determinants of their healthcare access.
Results: Most participants (82%) had no knowledge of the processes required for procuring healthcare services and privileges. They demonstrated significant hospital utilization, with a majority (58%) having recently visited a hospital. They achieved 100% attendance for child and maternal immunization. Despite their remarkably low income, which typically did not require a tax number card, 76% of the individuals were issued one. However, 77% lacked a Government-issued free healthcare card. This financial constraint limited their access to needed healthcare services.
Conclusions: In spite of the Narikuravar people’s significant hospital utilization and flawless immunization attendance, this study indicates a persistent lack of awareness about how to access free healthcare for other conditions, which contributes to widening disparities in health outcomes. This gap, potentially magnified by historical marginalization, underscores the need for targeted interventions. Improving health literacy and raising knowledge of available services through collaborative efforts with the Narikuravar people is an essential step toward ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.
Keywords: equity, health care, health service, marginalized community, Narikuravar.