Social factors in understanding illness behaviour of women with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jammu, North India.

AIMS: Females in the South Asian region form a deprived community in diabetes management, and if we narrow it down to the Indian context, the situation is even grimmer. This necessitates an exploration of the socio-cultural factors, in the form of personal perception of the respondents, responsible for diabetes management among women. METHODS: Data for the present study were collected at Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Jammu (India). In total 41 female respondents suffering from diabetes, for more than two years, were interviewed by using an unstructured interview schedule. Field research consisted of purposive sampling method and observation which took place in the out-patient department and in-patient department of the Department of Medicine, GMC. RESULTS: Results show that the biggest challenge posed by diabetes management for women is to take care of household expenses amid treatment demanded by this disease. Results were looked at from social constructivist point of view which revealed that socially constructed notions about disease have a major role to play in its management. CONCLUSION: These women opt for different mechanisms for diabetes management which may or may not be recommended by their diabetologist; however, their personal beliefs have maximum role to play in disease management.

Healthcare under the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in a decentralised health system.

Purpose This paper aims to explore the challenges and benefits arising from the involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the provisioning of primary healthcare in a decentralised health system of India. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study design was used in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 89 respondents selected from nine primary health centres across the district. A thematic analytical framework approach was used to analyse the data. Findings The research results indicate that there are several challenges resulting from PRIs involvement, including prioritisation of service providers and users, coercive unethical work and lack of communication. However, there are some benefits associated with the involvement of the PRIs in service provisioning, including improved availability and regularity of healthcare providers at the health centres. Research limitations/implications The implications of the findings suggest that the PRIs play an important role in healthcare provisioning; however, their involvement is ineffective due to their partial capabilities and approach, which creates a non-conducive environment. Practical implications Health issues are among the most important human concerns, and recognising and addressing the grassroot challenges help to locate, and overcome the challenges that hinder the smooth healthcare provisioning process. Originality/value National Rural Health Mission has recognised the PRIs as a platform to promote decentralised health planning and for achieving its goals in India. The PRIs are significantly involved in planning, monitoring and provisioning of primary healthcare services at grassroot level. This paper addresses the challenges and benefits that emerged due to their involvement.