Quality of Life of Slum Women: A Case Study of Mangalore City

Abstract

The present investigation tries to study the Quality of Life of slum women of Mangalore city, Karnataka state, India. The sample consists of 200 slum women belonging to four slums namely Kudukorigudda, Bhavanthi Street slum, Vivekanagara and Urava Store slum. The age range was between 18-45 years. Hindi version of World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL Group, 1995), developed by Sexsena was used to assess the Quality of Life. The scale provides separate scores of 24 facets under to domain namely, physical, psychological, level of dependence, social relationship, environmental and spiritual religious and personal beliefs domains. The data was statistically analyzed and Mean and Standard Deviations were obtained for each of the 24 facets and 6 domains. All the domain scores were below average, the scores on environmental and social relationship Domain which were very low. Result reveals a very poor quality of life of slum women because of being under the shadows of neglect, sufferings and ignorance or alienation. It is recommended that quality of life of these women be explored at grass root level and necessary measures be taken to improve it both by governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Key Words: Slum, Domain, Facets, Quality, Mangalore