Participatory analysis for redefining health delivery in a Bombay slum

Background. This paper explores the application of participatory methods in a Bombay slum of 33 households, Budh Mandir, to establish the local women's perception of their health status. Method. Six participatory meetings were conducted alongside informal interviews with key informants. The meetings were structured with health ranking, mapping and seasonal mapping exercises. Results. The participatory exercises expose the differences in perceptions between professional health deliverers and the women of Budh Mandir, as well as providing data at a household scale about the incidence of disease and important differences in the interpretation of health problems. Conclusions. Differences in the perception between local women and health professionals are noted, which, it is argued, have important implications in redefining health delivery. Some methodological problems are identified and solutions are offered. It is argued that participatory methods can act as a process through which slum dwellers can demand appropriate health care for themselves and their families. In so doing, they can redefine their health needs in order that health intervention can be directed more appropriately.