Mapping and vulnerability assessment in urban slums of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand: A Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: With increasing urbanization, number of urban slums is also rising. The health facilities and indicators in urban slums are poor as compared to other urban population. The present study presents an analysis of the health problems, utilization of health services and vulnerability of urban slums. Aims & Objectives: To map the slums in urban areas and assess the vulnerability of households. Methodology: The study was conducted in all urban slums of five cities of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts namely Haldwani, Ramnagar, Rudrapur, Jaspur and Kashipur. Group discussions involving community members, ward surveys by ASHA workers and household level vulnerability assessment were done using standard format according to “Guidelines and Tools for Vulnerability Mapping and Assessment of Urban Health, 2017”. Results: Most urban slum dwellers are daily wage laborers with major population suffering mainly from diabetes, hypertension, respiratory infection. Lack of drugs and diagnostic facilities are the major concerns. Infrastructure needs strengthening in most of the slums. Around three fourth of population belonged to vulnerable group with remaining in highly vulnerable group. Conclusion: There are social problems in urban slums like illiteracy, lack of awareness, unemployment which worsen the health problems. So, a holistic approach is needed for the solution.