Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Pages: 622-631
Richa Mohan (Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Delhi University, Delhi)

The study explores the psychosocial care-givers knowledge and skills on medical and psychosocial issues in Hemophilia pre-and post participation in the training program conducted in four different North Indian States. The objectives of the study is 1) To approach a cross-section of psychosocial workers and ascertain their views on the psychosocial support in Hemophilia; 2) To critically examine the views/perceptions of the psychosocial workers pre and post training workshop .3) To analyze the responses of the psychosocial workers about medical and psychosocial implications of hemophilia. 4) To identify issues, emerging from empirical evidence, which could be utilized for preparing the guidelines for the psychosocial workers. The findings showed that overall the psychosocial care-givers awareness improved post training on different subsets on the psychosocial awareness questionnaire. This indicates that regular education and updating of knowledge of the care-givers is important. A close perusal of findings suggests that age and experience were closely related to the awareness on the psychosocial issues in Hemophilia. It was found that the young respondents' awareness significantly improved post training whereas there were moderate changes in the responses of the older participants. On the whole, the change in awareness level witnessed after training illustrates that by providing adequate education and information, good results can be achieved, that will benefit PWH and their families, as well as those responsible for giving care to patients suffering from hemophilia.

Pages: 637-642
K. Jayashankar Reddy (CMR CMMS, Bangalore, Karnataka)

To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QOL) of alcohol-dependent patients during a 2-week inpatient withdrawal programme, and to identify the socio-demographic, clinical and alcohol-related factors associated with baseline QOL on admission and with improvement of QOL during residential treatment.This prospective, observational study included 414 alcohol-dependent patients, hospitalised for a period of 2 weeks. QOL was measured on admission and at discharge using the English version of the Medical Outcome Study SF-36. The mean scores for each dimension and for the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were calculated. The mean scores per dimension and the mean Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were significantly lower on admission than at discharge; the lowest scores being observed for social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. At discharge, the mean scores per dimension were similar to those observed in the English general population. Female gender, age >45 years, living alone, working as a labourer or employee, somatic comorbidity, and the existence of at least five criteria for alcohol dependence according to the DSM-IV classification were associated with a low Physical Component Summary score on admission; psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of at least five DSM-IV dependence criteria, smoking and suicidality were associated with a low Mental Component Summary score on admission. The increase in Physical and Mental Component Summary scores during hospitalization was more marked when the initial scores were low. Apart from the initial score, the greatest improvement in Physical Component Summary score was seen in patients with a high alcohol intake and in those without a somatic comorbidity; the increase in Mental Component Summary score was greatest in patients without psychotic symptoms and in those who abused or were dependent on illegal drugs. QOL improvement after a residential treatment was related to low QOL scores at admission. Improvement in physical component of QOL was related to baseline alcohol intake and good somatic status. Improvement in mental component of QOL was related to other drugs abuse/dependence.

Pages: 648-652
S. Subramanian and I.Dewaram Francis Raj (Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

People are conditioned to suppress their hurt child within oneself in order to avoid the pain and by repeating such things continuously, the free child may also be suppressed and subsequently people do not feel the joy either. The intervention on Healing the Inner Child (HIC) in oneself targets the experience of the joy and happiness by realizing the limitless potential of Healing the Inner Child is becoming popular among the therapist. The present study was aimed at exploring the extent to which the efficacy of the Intervention on Healing the Inner Child (HIC) by incorporating the four steps techniques developed by Bradshaw (1992). A repeated testing (pre-post) design was used to collect data on two psychological aspects Emotional Intelligence and Adjustments levels from 68 college students who had attended a three week training intervention programme on Healing the Inner Child (HIC) at two interval periods before and after the training period. The results revealed that the Intervention did have a positive effect and enhance the various dimensions of Emotional Intelligence and Adjustment levels.

Pages: 659-663
Gurminder Sokhey and Ravijot Kaur (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)

The present investigation aimed to study Body image concern in relation to Peer and Media influence in adolescents. The sample comprised 160 adolescents (Females=80, Males=80) in the age range of 15-19 years. They were randomly selected from various private schools and colleges of Patiala city and belonged to middle class families. The subjects were administered Revised Body Shape Questionnaire (Mazzeo, 1999), Peer Influence Scale (Mukai,1996) and Socio-cultural Attitude Towards Appearance Questionnaire (originally developed by Heinberg et al., 1995) to assess body image concern, peer influence and media influence respectively. Correlational Analysis of the data showed that body image concern was positively related with peer and media influence. Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis revealed significant contribution of peer influence & media influence in explaining the variance in body image concern.

Pages: 667-670
Geeta Balodi (M.K.P (P.G) College, Dehradun, Uttranchal)
Divya Raina (Pacific University, Rajasthan)

Prejudices related to the birth of girl child have long existed in the Indian society. Since ages voices have been raised against the issue, trying to curb the ill practices of killing the girl child soon after birth or in the womb of the mother itself yet nothing good has come out of it. Killing of the girl child has found its easy course in the womb- female foeticide. Despite the fact that we have entered the 21st century yet censes still show the declining ratio of the girl child. Women have progressed in every sector, be it managing home or society, yet the birth of a girl is never celebrated. The women still have to fight for respect at each step, has to struggle for its survival. The present study aims to study the anxiety levels of married youth in order to understand the thinking behind the committing of the heinous crime of female foeticide. The study makes some questions ring into our mind again and again seeking for a solution. Why does the sound of the first baby has to be that of a boy, why not a girl. Why is a family considered complete only with the birth of a boy? Why is a boy considered a symbol of status and a girl just another financial burden? A deeper thought has to be given to find out the reason why despite so many government policies and facilities we still have not been able to change our thinking and consider women as 'Human'.

Pages: 676-679
Neelam (Clinical Psychologist, DMHP, Kurukshetra, Haryana)

Schizophrenia and drug addiction, in its most form is serve and usually long lasting, causing maximum disability. The burden of care on the family members of patients with schizophrenia and drug addiction become much more compared to other mental disorders. The present study was mainly aimed at understanding that Schizophrenia and drug addiction can also affect the quality of life and the health of the family members. For this 60 schizophrenic patients and 60 drug addict patients diagnosed as per ICD-10 criteria with at least two years duration of illness were identifiedin District Mental Health Programme, kurukshetra. The close care takers of family members of these patients were studied by administering the scale of family burden(Family Burden Schedule) and Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). The result of study have revealed that longer the duration of illness greater the overall burden. The illness of patients also significantly effects the quality of life of close care taling members of the family. The study has shed significant light on family and social consequences of schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Pages: 685-687
Deepali Tyagi (Faculty of Education, Banasthali University, Banasthali, District Tonk, Rajasthan)

More and more youths becoming integral part of industrial processes and machines with sole aim to produce and sell products in bulks to boost the profits of their companies. The situation is, therefore, turning them into narrow minded population which cannot find mental peace and well being due to lack of basic knowledge of spirituality. There needs to be a greater recognition of absence of spirituality course work in the educational curriculum as an academic-problem. To cope with the dilemma, it is necessary that every student of Higher Education must have at least preliminary knowledge about spirituality, so that they may truly become global citizens who might accept the criticism of their belief-systems as a praiseworthy thing like they accept the writings of the sacred scriptures of their own religions. Throughout human history, there have been people of faith, and people who do not believe in any Super Being. Problems occur when one side misunderstands the other. This article aims towards imparting preliminary knowledge of Spirituality, Religion, Belief about God, Religious Beliefs, Difference between Religion, Spirituality and Superstition, Experiencing God, Approaches to God to the students.

Pages: 692-694
Haroon Ahmad and Ibrar Khan (Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa, Pakistan)

Over the centuries medicinal plants have benefited mankind against different diseases. Advanced glycation end-products (AGE's) formation due to non-enzymatic glycation and oxidative stress has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and aging processes. In this study we investigated the antiglycation and antioxidation potential of different fraction F. indica whole plant. Our results indicated that the chloroform fraction of B. bulbocastanumfruitshad more antiglycation ability with a Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of 148.96 µg/mL as compared to the MIC50 of 221.96, 270.00, 294.01 and 322.49µg/ml of aqueous, ethyl acetate, n-hexane and crude methanolic fractions, respectively. While the results of antioxidation assay showed that chloroform fraction has more antioxidation potential than the standard (ascorbic acid) at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. Chloroform, ethyl acetate, aqueous, n-hexane and crude methanolic fractions had 29.39, 21.41, 15.25, 13.01and 11.33 % antioxidation potential at 0.5 mg / ml respectively.

Pages: 699-703
Alpana Mohan (Department of Psychology, VMLG (PG) College, Ghaziabad)

Protection of environment has posed not only a major challenge but also a social and moral responsibility in the present society. Environmental threats to any individual's physical & mental health can broadly be divided into "Traditional" hazards, stemming largely from a lack of development, and "modern" hazards, arising essentially from unsustainable patterns of development. Mental health is defined as a "state of wellbeing enabling individuals to realize their abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities (WHO, Book on Mental Health). The Rio Declaration on Environmental and Development states that human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development, and that they are entitled to a healthy and productive life, in harmony with nature. The goals of sustainable development can only be achieved in the absence of a high prevalence of debilitating disease, while obtaining health gains for the whole population requires poverty eradication. There is an urgent need to address the causes of ill health, including environmental causes, and their impact on development, with particular emphasis on women and children, as well as vulnerable groups of society, such as people with disabilities, elderly persons and indigenous people. In developing countries, like India is facing newer hazards associated with chemical contamination of the environment are significant. In developing countries, health and environmental problems are often related to poverty and arise largely as a result of such factors as rapid, uncontrolled urbanization and agricultural and land-use practices. In addition to hazards related to pollution, vector-borne environmental diseases may be prevalent as well as health and environmental problems associated with a lack of proper shelter, water and sanitation or poor food hygiene. The research paper will therefore, elaborate three area of emerging concern about the relationship between environmental hazards and mental health. Firstly, the direct impacts of climate change, urbanization, poverty are likely to impacts on mental health concerns. Secondly emerging understanding of the ways in which climate change as a global environmental threat may create distress and anxiety about the future. Third, we summarize with some reflections on future policy practice & recommendation for mental health promotion & attainment of sustainable development. Journey for sustainable development is continue from seventies & will be continue, if we would be able to achieve the ultimate goal to attain good mental health.

Pages: 707-710
Ramesh Verma (Medical Officer I/C Rural Health Training Centre, CHC CHIRI Rural Health Training Centre CHC CHIRI, Rohtak)
Neelam Kumar (Department of Community Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak)
Raj Kumar (Department of Institute of Management Studies And Research (IMSAR), Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak)
Varun Arora (Department of Community Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak)
Meenakshi Kharb (BAMS, MBA, Rohtak)
Suman Sharma (Department of Medicine, PGIMER, Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi)

What are the Effects of quality attributes of ESI Health Care Services on patient's satisfaction. To determine effects of quality attributes of ESI Health Care Services on patient's satisfaction. Cross-sectional, descriptive ESI dispensary, Shivaji colony Rohtak Percentage, simple proportion, chi square test, linear regression model. 500 Study participants The study population comprised of 500 persons [66.8% males and 33.2%females]. Maximum number of study participants (37.4%) were in the 30-39 years age group followed by 30.6% were in the age group of 20-29 years. Around one third (27%) study participants were dissatisfied with quality of health care services provided under ESI scheme. The study also revealed the reasons for dissatisfaction and most common reasons were found not good quality medicines (52.59%) and complete medicines (41.48%). There is need to strengthen the quality of health care service at ESI dispensary.

Pages: 716-722
Priya, M. (Department of Human Development, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore)

Parenting is a complex activity that includes many specific behaviors that work individual and together to influence child outcomes. Family atmosphere is very important factor, which contributes to the parent-child relationship. The present study includes identifying various parenting models which have been used for gathering information about the problems of adolescents according gender and socio-economic status. A total of 60 adolescents under the age group 15, 16 and 17 in which 30 boys and 30 girls were selected for the present investigation from Mysore city. Different schools and colleges were selected which comes under the same area of Mysore city. Random sampling technique was employed to assess the parenting style and adolescent problems. The variables like gender, socio economic status have taken to identify the results. P-scale which includes six parenting models and Mooney problem check-list which includes eleven areas with 30 items have been taken. It keeps the students in expressing their personal problems. The results revealed that the fathers show negative mode of parenting towards boy child, but mothers show positive mode of parenting mode. And low income of the family hinders the marital adjustment according to adolescents. Regarding the problems, adolescents boys find more difficulty in Finance, living conditions& employment (FLE) and Adjustment to school work (ASW) compared to girls. Lower income family adolescent's find more problems in finance, living conditions & employment (FLE) and the future vocational & educational (FVE) areas.

Pages: 726-730
Gamrangchi, D. Arengh (Department of Food Science and Nutrition,Human Development, University of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka)
Priya, M. (Department of Human Development, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore)

Domestic violence that is any act of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, or the threat of such abuse, inflicted against a woman by a person intimately connected to her through marriage, family relation, or acquaintanceship is universal and has its root in the socio-cultural set up of the society. Domestic violence can be Psychological Abuse, Social Abuse, Financial Abuse, Physical Assault and/or Sexual Assault. In developing cities the rates of domestic violence against women are high. Domestic violence has attracted the attention of the general public and the judiciary in the city due to series of unpleasant incidents the loss of life and threat to life in several parts of the city. There were several cases of women who were ill treated, tortured and even murdered for not meeting the demands of the so called head of the family. The ultimate solution lies in awareness building geared through determined community action. In this study, efforts have been made to find out the prevalent forms of domestic violence, the factors leading to it, economic status of the family, the awareness of Domestic Violence Act' 2005, the utilization of the Act and also impact of the Act. The present study included sections on the prevalent forms of domestic violence, the factors leading to it, economic status of the family, the awareness of Domestic Violence Act' 2005, the utilization of the Act and also impact of the Act on the lives of victims. A total of 15 women victims of domestic violence were selected from the centers for the study. Through Case history method consolidated raw data were framed. The results revealed that Domestic violence in the form of physical attack was a common feature, the most prevalent cause of violence is extra marital relations of husbands, most of the victims belonged to middle income group families and are aware of the Domestic Violence Act and the reason for not utilizing the Act is because of fear of social stigma. This Act has both positive and negative impact on the lives of victims according to the present study.

Pages: 735-736
Neetu Anand (Research Scholar, CMJ University, Shillong, Meghalaya)
Nirmala Devi (CR College of Education, Hisar, Haryana)

The current study examined relation in academic stress, self-efficacy and peer relations among college students. The sample of 400 students (200 boys and 200 girls) was collected from various colleges of Hisar and Delhi. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Method was used to analyze the results. The findings indicated that academic stress was significantly negatively related with self-efficacy (r=0.-48, p<.01), and peer relations (r= -0.26, p<.01). Thus, the findings have important implications in understanding increasing rate of academic stress among students.