Differing health and health-seeking behaviour: ethnic minorities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh.

This study investigates the health and health-seeking behaviour of the indigenous population of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh by surveying 2,550 randomly selected households from five major ethnic groups residing in the region. A structured questionnaire was used for collecting data. Morbidity prevalence (23%) and child malnutrition (19%) was highest among Bangalis. Fever (40%), diarrhoeal diseases (37%) and malaria (16%) were the three most common illnesses reported among the study population. Around fifteen percent of the Bangalis sought care from the paraprofessionals while 'unqualified' allopaths were consulted more frequently by the Tripuras, Chakmas and the Marmas (60-70%). Qualified allopaths were mostly consulted by the Bangalis (26%). Sex, types of illness, ethnicity, household head's education and household's landholding were significant predictors of seeking treatment, and allopathic treatment in particular. The findings on the differential health and health-seeking behaviour among ethnic groups should help in the designing of any future health interventions in the area.