Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Pages: 340-344
Aravind E. Raj, Janaki Ramam, Prathwiraj Bajpe, and Suresh Lukose (Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, Karnataka)

Psychosocial competency is strength and ability to deal effectively with demands and challenges of everyday life. It plays an important role towards the overall development of human being. Schools are significant social institution for children's psychosocial development as it's assumed that schools environment is favorable to the social and emotional growth of children. Rural children in India mostly attend government schools where group harmony and interdependence are strongly encouraged but individualistic values may experience more difficulties in social interaction; as a result they may feel frustrated and develop attitude towards others and self. The current study aims at understanding the effectiveness of psychosocial competence programme conducted in rural school as part of community mental health program of NIMHANS, Bengaluru. 172 students of class 6th, 7th and 8th from seven rural government schools participated in the program. Psychosocial competence programme on nine different themes was conducted using participatory methodology. Feedback was collected from students about their learnings in each session. The learnings were quantified as appropriate and in appropriate responses to discuss the results. Majority of children were from lower socio-economic background. Mean percentage of appropriate responses of children about each session ranged from 50.71% to 78.2. Female children were consistent in attending the sessions. The mean percentage of appropriate responses were significantly higher among the children who attended more than 7 sessions compared to children who attended less than seven sessions. Significant difference (p< .05) was found in appropriate responses and strength of the class. Development of psychosocial competencies is multidimensional in nature. Well-structured, well planned and well implemented school based intervention programmes would lead to significant improvement in psychosocial development of children.

Pages: 353-356
Gaganpreet Kaur and Atinder Pal Kaur (Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab)

Media becomes an integral part of our life. With the growth and development of technology, it creates revolution in media industry and it grows to television, films, radio, the internet and other new media applications. Media also played a big role in today's scenario in which we all are struggling covid-19. The present paper is focused upon how media effect and created people perception about covid-19. The data was collected online by 150 respondents including both male and female from urban city of Ludhiana. Snowball sampling method was used to make contact with respondents. Study revealed that firsthand information about Covid19 was received via media. Media was used as a source of information as well as entertainment. Less than half i.e. 48.6% of the respondents quoted the panic to purchase grocery as well as medicines was due to news spread by social media. Media also played a positive role to connect family and friends; becomes a source to create a virtual families during pandemic. Along with this, there is a flip side of media that it creates fake news and increased stress among people. The public sphere created by media, should be critically examined. The discourse used by media need to be evaluated thoroughly by society.

Pages: 363-370
Suchandra Chakraborty (MPhil Trainee Clinical Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Asmita Karmakar ( UGC Senior research fellow, University of Calcutta,Kolkata, West Bengal)
Aparajita Chakraborty (Department of Psychology, Amity University, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Anindita Mukherjee ( Clinical Psychologist, Department of Health and family welfare, Govt of West Bengal)
Tapolagna Das (Department of Psychology, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Lagda, West Bengal)
Manisha Bhattacharya (Clinical Psychologist, Autism Society, West Bengal)
Atri Sanyal (State aided college teacher, Department of Psychology, Maharani Kasiswari College, Kolkata, West Benga)
Saranya Banerjee (UGC Senior research fellow, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Anwista Ganguly ( State Aided College Teacher, Department of Psychology, Maharani Kasiswari College, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Urmimala Ghosh (MPhil Trainee in Clinical Psychology, University of Calcutta,Kolkata, West Bengal)
Arumina Mitra (Counsellor, DPS, Joka, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Jaspreet Kaur (Research Scholar, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Atanu Kumar Dogra (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)
Jishnu Bhattacharya (Neuropsychiatrist, Suri Sadar Hospital, West Bengal Health Service, Suri, Birbhum, West Bengal)
Sanjukta Das (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)

Identification and community based interventions of stigma are essential aspects of mental health. Considering this context, on the basis of theoretical conceptualization of stigma related to mental illness and current socio-cultural scenario, we attempted to construct a Bengali standardized scale to measure 'mental illness stigma in general population'. Initially, content of the fifty seven items were generated from experts' opinions under the domains of three components of stigma- 'stereotypes (cognitive knowledge structures), evoked emotions and attitudinal/behavioural consequences' with three point rating response category using vignettes(depicting any psychiatric disorder, here schizophrenia was considered). Then the scale was administered on 522 Bengali speaking, graduate participates (age range 25-40 years)for item analysis processes. Finally, 54 items were retained considering significant item total correlation and explored under components using exploratory factor analysis. Satisfactory test retest and internal consistency reliability were found for all domains of newly developed stigma scale

Pages: 376-383
Harbans Lal (Department of Psychology, SNDT Women's University, Director, Forum of Behavioural Safety, Mumbai, Maharashtra)

During the Covid-19 scenario, this article addresses behavioural safety cultural issues as to why do people take health and safety risks? what are the similarities between Covid-19 and behavioral based safety (BBS) management as both interventions drive behavioural change? How to implement BBS post-lockdown in plants? What are the behavioral challenges and solutions to contain Covid-19? This article is based on qualitative methods such as interviews, focused group discussions, field surveys. Objective is to review the current scenario and enable people to use this researched information for effective management of behavioural safety culture. Implications are discussed in view of safety cultural context in India.

Pages: 387-392
Anjana Goyal (Department of Biochemistry MRDC Faridabad, Haryana)
Reena Doomra (Department of Pharmacology MRDC Faridabad, Haryana )
Samridhi Srivastava, Neeru Rani & Anushka Rajesh Choudhary(MRDC, Faridabad, Haryana)

In recent years, country has seen a rise in new trend in adopting plant-based diets which could be due to a variety of reasons- environmental consciousness, affection for animals, social justice or a bid to end world hunger for materialist society and so on and so forth. Whatever be the reasons, all of them have led to one definite conclusion- a decrease in the carbon footprint generated by an individual. To know the individual's preferred diet, reasons for adopting and to educate the youth of informed advantages of adopting such dietary habits, a cross-sectional study was done through an online survey among various youth. It was observed that a growing consciousness has led them to adoptbetter health choices and environment-friendly decisions, despite many of them selecting reason for eating meat or dairy products as a “personal taste”. They also agreed that they would be more than happy, if made aware to switch over to a diet which would have less impact on the environment. This article deals with an increased consciousness of adopting healthier, more beneficial, and more environmentally viable food habits among the younger population. To establish this fact, a survey was conducted in Delhi/NCR region using Google forms amid the lockdown period of Covid-19 pandemic. Results show that the concerted efforts of the individuals towards achieving this task may enable them to reduce global carbon footprints by 29-70%. Through this study, efforts have also been made to educate young individuals about these healthy and less polluting lifestyle practices which may help reduce their individual contribution to the global environmental crisis.

Pages: 398-401
Poonam Yadav, Poonam Malik, Monika, and Pinki (Department of Human Development and Family Studies Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana)

Klinefelter syndrome is a rare condition in which one extra X chromosome (XXY) is present in males rather than the normal XY chromosomal pattern. It occurs in 1 in 500-1000 males. It occurs because of some random error during egg formation or sperm production.These types of children are slightly different from normal ones. Individuals with KS have some physical characteristics like tall stature, hypogonadism, gynacomastia, delayed or incomplete puberty, impaired spermatogenesis. KS can also lead to emotional, behavioural, social and other problems at school or college level. Some of the studies revealed that individual with KS have increased risk of language disorder. Parents also have a lot of burden or stress due to their sons' delayed or impaired development.About 1/4th of the total individuals having KS are diagnosed throughout their life span. Lifespan of boys having KS is approximately 2 years less than the normal boys.Diagnosis or Treatment of Klinefelter syndrome should be started at an early age.

Pages: 407-411
Atinder Pal Kaur (Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab)

International migration is an important dimension to study integration of societies, globally; especially if studied at family level, to get a better know how of culture and society. For this, data has been collected through open-ended interview schedule, case studies, and non- participant observation from Doaba region of Punjab. Interviews were done with women, who are living without their husbands/ male member of the family. It was found that there was a shift from conservative societies in to more open societies in the Doaba region of Punjab. Women feel more autonomy, free and independent with respect to family decisions. The women acted as the head of the household and are taking all family decisions. But “patriarchal norms” and male dominance still exist in Punjabi society. Migration of their husbands results in temporary increase in tasks and responsibilities of women. The change in roles also creates a dilemma among the left behind women about their position, which leads to identity crisis. Women generally perceived these new roles as burden hence, should not be confused with changing gender role.

Pages: 415-418
Lalita K. Gautam and Alok Kumar (Department of Sociology, CCS University Campus Meerut, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh)

Reproductive morbidity is one of the major heath issues having impact upon the quality of women. It has been noted that there is lots of ignorance and misconception about it especially among rural women. This study aimed to review the earlier studies and draw conclusion from their results to know the present conditions of women reproductive morbidity, especially along the psychological and social dimensions by utilizing the social science methodology of secondary data analysis. The idea of utilizing the insights and experience of earlier medical sociology's study the evaluation of reproductive morbidities and treatment seeking conduct of rural women in India is indeed appealing as medical sociology is almost new in India.. It appears to be fruitful idea to investigate the manner in which rural women seek treatment for reproductive morbidity

Pages: 426-429
Wossen Ayalew Tegegne (College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia)

Globally Unwanted pregnancy is a health related problem that affects girls, their families and social order. Of an estimated 210 million pregnancies that take place in the world each year, 38% are unwanted, out of which 22% end up with abortion. Unwanted pregnancy among teenagers is a serious risk health related problem in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and causes of unwanted pregnancy in Woldia University. 121 graduating class of technology Faculty, students was selected by using availability (convenient) sampling techniques. Questionnaire having both open ended and close ended items was developed and administrated for participants. The research was mixed in its nature, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings of this survey indicated that the bulk of the respondents were using whatever type of contraceptive methods like condom and oral contraceptives. Majorities of them used their allies as the major source of data. From the participants of this study, the majority of them have been fraught. Drinking alcohol and peer pressure were mentioned as a major cause of unwanted pregnancy. The majority of students have experienced an unwanted pregnancy in their campus life, but too little attention given by the university. Thus, university gender directorate office, student union, spiritual leadership, student dean and counselors should work together to minimize the trouble.

Pages: 437-442
Pransh Khemka, Puja Dhanuka Radhika Bhutta, Raghav Narang, and Raj Jakharia (Narsee Monje School of Management Studies, Mumbai, Anil Surendra School of Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Daytime tiredness, unpredictable sleep schedules and lack of sleep are exceptionally predominant among school and college understudies. The outcomes of lack of sleep and daytime sluggishness are particularly risky to under grads and may end in lower grades, expanded danger of terrible academic performance, traded off learning, mood swings, and expanded danger of liquor and drugs. This paper surveys this situation of lack of sleep among college understudies, the contributing factors that bring about lack of sleep, and in this manner the significance of sleep for better learning and memory. This paper proposes that tending to sleep issues, which aren't frequently considered as a hazard factor for depression and academic disappointment, ought to be thought about.

Pages: 447-451
Arti Dubey, Deepti Yadav, Savita Bansal, Manya Prakash, Prerna Rimjhim, and Mohammad Faizan (Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad, Haryana)

Millions of women suffer physically and mentally during menstruation due to inadequate knowledge, misconceptions and sociocultural restrictions. Male awareness of menstrual hygiene is equally important as India being a patriarchal society, family fund allocation and decision making rests with them.To assess the knowledge and sociocultural practices regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene among university students. Across sectional study was conducted on both male and female university students. A pre validated semi structured questionnaire was administered to the students through Google forms. Sample size calculation and statistical analysis was done. Of the 763 participants 453 (59.4%) were female and 310 (40.6%) were male respondents. 481(63.0%) students belonged to medical stream while 282 (37.0%) were enrolled in non-medical courses. The knowledge score calculated on the knowledge based questions was 6.49±0.81 for females which was significantly higher than that of males (4.36±2.07) with a p value of <0.0001. The knowledge score of boys pursuing medical courses was more 6.19±0.83 as compared to boys studying non-medical courses 3.76±2. Majority of the females preferred the use of sanitary pads with little awareness about menstrual cups and tampons. Knowledge about menstruation is lacking in males. Educating males should be a priority so that they can contribute to the menstrual hygiene needs of girls and help break the stigma and taboos associated with it in the society.

Pages: 454-455
Mezgebu Bayu Bezabih (College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia)

Evie Bentley was born on 1918, to Joseph Artthur Canterbury and Canterbury. She married Cyrus Alexander Bentley and she hadgotten 5 siblings. As far as her profession is concerned, she was served as being head of Psychology at Hill view School for Girls and at Hugh Christie Technology College, Tonbridge, Kent. She is also an Adult Education Psychology Tutor, West Sussex (Burgess Hill & Crawley), and Tutor and Second Year Module Leader in Developmental Psychology for International Correspondence Schools on line Psychology degree. She has chaired the Association for the Teaching of Psychology (1999 - 2002) and edited the ATP Newsletter and Journal.