Youth focused life skills training and counselling services program-An inter-sectoral initiative in India: Program development and preliminary analysis of factors affecting life skills.

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the methodology of developing and implementation of a youth focused life skills training and counselling services programme (LSTCP) and assessment of factors associated with life skills of participants pre-training. DESIGN: Development of all aspects of LSTCP (modules, methods and evaluation) was through a consultative process. Experiential learning based facilitation was decided as the approach for training participants. A quasi-experimental design with pre, post and follow-up assessment post-training was finalised. Data collection was done using specifically developed semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression with life skills as outcome and various exposure variables was performed. About 2/3rd of participants had high level of life skills (68%). Increased score of extraversion (AOR = 1.57,95% CI = 1.32-1.85), agreeableness (AOR = 1.42,95% CI = 1.16-1.73), conscientiousness (AOR = 1.9,95% CI = 1.55-2.33), physical (AOR = 1.03,95% CI = 1.01-1.04), environmental (AOR = 1.02,95% CI = 1.004-1.03) and social quality of life (AOR = 1.01,95% CI = 1.006-1.02) were associated with high life skills score. Higher score of neuroticism (AOR = 0.66,95% CI = 0.53-0.79) was associated with low life skills score. CONCLUSION: The results presented provide an opportunity to understand the evolution of factors affecting life skills during the follow-up of this study. This study throws light on development of LSTCP for apparently healthy population in a setting like India and its states.

Prevalence of substance use disorders in Punjab: Findings from National Mental Health Survey.

Background & objectives: Substance use disorders are a major public health concern in Punjab. However, reliable estimates of prevalence of substance use disorders are not available for the State. The present study reports estimates of prevalence of substance use disorders in Punjab, conducted as part of National Mental Health Survey, India. Methods: Using multistage stratified random cluster sampling, 2895 individuals from 719 households of 60 clusters (from 4 districts of Punjab) were interviewed. Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Fagerstrom nicotine dependence scale were used to assess substance use disorders. Results: The sample comprised almost equal numbers of males and females. Nearly 80 per cent had less than or equal to high school education, and 70 per cent were married. The weighted prevalence of alcohol and other substance use disorders was 7.9 and 2.48 per cent, respectively. The prevalence of tobacco dependence was 5.5 per cent; 35 per cent households had one person with substance use disorder. The prevalence was highest in the productive age group (30-39 yr), urban metro and less educated persons. The prevalence of alcohol and other substance use disorders was much higher in Punjab as compared to other States where survey was done. Tobacco dependence was lowest in Punjab. Majority (87%) of the persons with substance use disorders did not suffer from any other mental disorder. Treatment gap was 80 per cent. Interpretation & conclusions: Punjab has a high burden of substance use disorders. The estimates will help clinicians and policymakers to plan the strategies against the menace of substance use disorders effectively.