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Purpose To assess the effectiveness of a community-health-worker (CHW)-driven intervention in improving the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of children with disability in rural Karnataka, India. Methodology A community-based quasi-experimental study with cluster randomization on the village level was done. CHWs provided structured health education and training for the intervention arm. Pre- and post-intervention, the QOL and Zarit burden scores were compared between and within the two arms. Results From baseline, the physical domain score improved from 49.66 to 53.88 (p < 0.001). The Zarit burden scores decreased from 33.27 to 28.89 (p < 0.001). On comparing the post-test QOL scores between the two arms, the physical domain scores increased from 51.68 to 56.08 (p = 0.025). The Zarit burden scores also significantly decreased from 31.50 to 26.28. Conclusion The intervention by the CHWs on the caregivers has significant improvements in the physical domain of QOL and a reduction in caregiver burden.
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BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in India. Atherosclerosis begins in the second decade of life; thus, preventive efforts beginning in adolescence are crucial. Yet, there are no national or regional school-based educational programs in India for the prevention of CVD. We aimed to assess the impact of a simple educational intervention on the awareness regarding CVD among school-going adolescents in a rural area of Bengaluru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using a convenience sample of school-going adolescents of classes 8, 9, and 10 in three schools in a rural area of Anekal subdistrict, Bengaluru, with a sample size of 170. A standardized, validated questionnaire testing CVD awareness was administered, followed by a simple lecture with audio-visual aids on key aspects of CVD. Three weeks later, the same questionnaire was administered to the same students. The results were then analyzed using appropriate descriptive (mean, percentage) and inferential analyses (Chi-square, paired t-test). RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 14.5 (1.0) years, and 54% (n = 100) were boys. 75% (139) belonged to privately funded schools. 23% (43) belonged to class 8, 37% (69) to class 9, and 40% (74) to class 10. The mean (SD) total score on baseline assessment was 27.4 (9.3) out of 100, with girls and students of private schools scoring higher. The mean (SD) post-test total score was 48.5 (15.7), with significant increases in all domains of awareness, and in all categories of students. DISCUSSION: Awareness regarding CVD among adolescents from rural Bengaluru was poor, highlighting the need for educational interventions to aid preventive efforts. A simple educational intervention resulted in significant improvements in CVD awareness, even after 3 weeks.
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Background: The prime concern for an individual with disability is independence. Self-help groups (SHGs) provide opportunities for those with such needs. Objectives: The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the impact of SHGs on the livelihood, social inclusion, and community participation of those with disability and (ii) to evaluate the self-esteem and assess the role of such SHGs among those with disability. Materials and Methods: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study. An interview schedule captured responses to standardized questionnaires (community-based rehabilitation assessment tool, Rosenberg's self-esteem score, and Social Inclusion Scale). Responses were scored and compared among the two groups of those with disability (member or nonmember of SHGs). Results: The median scores for all our outcome variables were found to be more among those with disabilities enrolled in SHGs than those who were not with a significant association in the component of empowerment, sociocommunity participation, social inclusion, and self-esteem. Conclusion: SHGs improve social and community participation of individuals with disability. It empowers them to lead independent lives and also contributes to social inclusion.
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INTRODUCTION: The primary caregiver of a child with disability has to undergo a lot of difficulties in taking care of the child. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life and burden of caregiving of primary caregivers of children with disability registered in a CBR services in rural Karnataka. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done among 100 children with disability and their primary caregivers. Interview schedule including socio-demography, WHOQOL-BREF, ZBI and WHODAS was used. RESULTS: Mean age of caregivers was 36.38 of which 97% were women and 82% were mothers of children with disability. Mean age of children was 11.43 years, 56% males and most common diagnosis was multiple disabilities (38%). Mean caregiver burden according to Zarit scale was 33.27 and mean burden scores were significantly different between the disability domains of the children. Mean quality of life (QOL) scores for each domain was 49.6 in physical, 60.47 in psychological, 45.67 in social and 58.44 in environmental domains. Marital status of the caregivers was significantly associated with both physical and the social domain of the QOL. Occupation of the caregiver was significantly associated with the environmental domain and the type of disability in the children significantly affected the physical domain of the QOL of the caregivers. CONCLUSION: Caregiver QOL is overall poor but it was the lowest in the physical domain and higher in psychological domain. Caregiver burden scores were high and depends on the type of disability. Importance should be given to the care of the caregivers.
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CONTEXT: Adolescence is the time which is crucial for the overall development of a person both mentally and physically. In this period, along with academic intelligence, emotional intelligence (EI) also plays an equal or strong role in student life. AIMS: This study was to assess EI, parental bonding, and their association among adolescents in high schools under Sarjapur PHC area. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among high school students under Sarjapur PHC area. The EI was assessed using EI scale which measured self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The parental bonding instrument was utilized to determine the parental styles of both the parents and was interpreted in terms of care and protection as neglectful parenting, affectionless control, optimal parenting, and affectionate control. RESULTS: A total of 300 adolescents were interviewed. It was seen that most of them had low EI in self-awareness, i.e., 92 (30.7%), motivation 99 (33%), and social skills 101 (33.7%). It was also observed that most of them had high EI in self-regulation, i.e., 98 (32.7%) and moderately high EI in empathy 117 (39%). The study group perceived that 147 (49%) of the fathers and 109 (36.3%) of the mothers had affectionless control. CONCLUSION: Along with poor parenting, most of the respondents also have low EI in self-awareness, motivation, and social skills which has to be addressed for the future of the country.
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INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. There is an urgent need for a reinvigorated and tailored approach to promote cancer prevention and treatment-related health education, especially among the youth. OBJECTIVE: (1) To assess the knowledge and awareness of the students of adolescent age group about cancer. (2) To compare two methods of health education on improving awareness about cancer among these students. METHODOLOGY: We conducted an interventional study among students (both male and female) of adolescent age group (10-19 years) who attend Government school (Lakkur and Kugur) in Sarjapur PHC between May and September 2014. A standard pretested validated questionnaire-adopted from Cancer Awareness Measure-translated into Kannada was used. After pretest, health education was given by two modes: in Lakkur - child to child, and Kugur - routine (lecture). Following 2 days of health education, an immediate posttest was conducted. After 2 weeks, the second posttest was conducted. RESULTS: In Kugur School, 96 students and Lakkur School, 104 students participated. The mean age group of students in both the schools was 14 years. The preexisting knowledge scores between both the schools were not statistically significant. There was a significant increase in knowledge of the posttest scores in all three domains of cancer questionnaire in both the schools. Child to child program in Lakkur School was found to be more effective in increasing the knowledge scores. CONCLUSION: To increase the awareness of cancer among schools using child to child method for health education. School curriculum should include sessions on cancer education and reinforced to students periodically. To sustain this measure, school teachers could be trained in nuances of cancer prevention and treatment.
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INTRODUCTION: The construction industry, which mainly consists of migrant labouers is one of the largest employers in the unorganized sector in India. These workers work in poor conditions and are often vulnerable to exploitation. These workers also do not have health care benefits and often these factors lead to poor quality of life (QOL) and psychological distress. OBJECTIVES: To assess the QOL, probable psychological distress and associated factors among male construction workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2013 and November 2013 among 404 male workers. These construction workers were enrolled by consecutive sampling at a construction area in Kolar district, Kaarnataka, India. The study tools used were World Health Organization (WHO) QOL-BREF and 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess QOL and probable psychological distress, respectively. The transformed scores in WHO QOL-BREF in all four domains ranged 0-100. The four domain scores are scaled in a positive direction with higher scores indicating a higher QOL. Associations were done using statistical tests such as Chi-square, correlation, regression, independent samples t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: A total of 404 male workers with a mean age of 25.6 ± 7.3 years were studied. Mean scores of various domains of QOL were 68.5 ± 13.7 (physical), 59.9 ± 13.5 (psychological), 64.3 ± 16.4 (social), and 44.1 ± 12.8 (environmental). On the self- rating scale, 59 (14.6%) workers were rated as having poor QOL. The prevalence of probable psychological distress was 27.5%. Factors such as increasing age, being currently married, and low educational status were found to be significantly associated (P < 0.05) with poor QOL and psychological distress. There was a significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) between QOL and psychological distress and a positive correlation between income and QOL. CONCLUSION: The QOL in the environmental domain, which mainly deals with living conditions, health, and recreational facilities was found to be poor and there was a high prevalence of probable psychological distress among workers. This indicates a need for improving workplace amenities, and access to health and recreational facilities.
