SWATI’s programs are rooted in a systematic planning process that has its basis in the studies and research that we have undertaken on issues of the region. The research also becomes a tool for advocating on those issues.

The research studies undertaken by SWATI so far include:

Women’s Health Issues in the Patdi and Dhrangadhra blocks of Surendranagar district: The study undertaken in 20 villages became the basis for planning a Women and Health program and was used to create awareness and mobilise the community to demand health as their basic right.
A study on Maternal Mortality Rate:

In our effort to further examine this issue, SWATI took up a limited but effective study that a) monitored the government health delivery mechanism for administering iron folic (an important nutritional supplement), tetanus toxide injections, and antenatal checkups. The methodology was simple. The data was collected every month for a set of villages falling under any three PHCs, collated, analysed and sent to the District Health Officers (DHO) and the Medical officers of the concerned PHCs. Each set of villages was studied twice in a gap of one month. The first time, we collected basic information and the second time we wanted to see if our sending the information to the government made an impact.

The impact of the survey was quite satisfactory, for we were able to monitor the changes every month. If there was no impact in any of the villages under a particular PHC (in spite of the data that was sent to them), this wazs also pointed out in the written report. This simple research has proved to be a valuable monitoring tool. The collated data clearly points out the gaps in the health delivery mechanism and the changes that need to be brought about if the high MMR rate is to be reduced.
Study on the Prevalence and Forms of Violence against Women in the Saurashtra Kachchh region:

The cultural and social norms that support and perpetuate Violence against women differ across regions and communities. Thus any effort at combating it has to inform itself of these factors and mindsets and address them directly. A community based study on violence against women was conducted in 35 villages spread over four districts. In a random sample, 506 married women were interviewed to understand their individual perspective on the issue of violence. The data gathered from women was supplemented with FGDs with men from the same communities. The aim was to elicit information on factors that determine male behavior in committing violence against women. This research has become the basis for devising a long-term campaign strategy for involving men in combating violence against women.

The study gains importance not just for its breadth but also for being one of the few studies completed in the rural context.
Advocacy on Issues of Salt Pan Workers:

Five thousand families of salt pan workers live and work under inhuman conditions in the 43 villages of the little Rann of Kachchh. The villages fall within the Patdi, Halvad and Dhranghdra blocks. Along with a group of nine other agencies, SWATI has taken up the issue of improving the livelihood related conditions of the saltpan workers. The demand is to also regularise the occupation and grant primary health and education facilities to the families who work in the Rann for eight months a year.

Health Expenditure Patterns and Health Seeking Behaviour vis-à-vis Quality of Care:

Health care is becoming increasingly expensive. This study was carried out in an effort to understand the impact of increased privatisation of health services and decreased government spending in the primary health care sector on the health seeking behaviour patterns and the economic situation of the rural poor. SWATI has undertaken a small study in three blocks of Dhrangadhra, Lakhtar and Patdi. Data from the study is in the process of being analysed and will be available shortly. The study will be used as a tool for advocacy on increased public sector spending in health and will also feed into SWATI’s next phase of health intervention and programming.

Related Publications:

- Women’s Health Situation in Patdi and Dhranghdra blocks of Surendranagar
- Maternal Mortality Ratio
- Traditional Birth Attendants