Bridging the Gap between Social Reasoning and Action: Impacts of Collaborative Small-Group Discussion

Education and Human Ecology: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)This study examined whether participating in dialogic discussions could enhance students’ social reasoning and in turn help them use it to shape their social-moral action. A total of 250 fifth-grade students in a Midwestern city in the U.S. were assigned to the Collaborative Small Group condition-CSR, Read Aloud condition-RA or Regular Instruction-RI condition. Students’ social reasoning and social behavior were assessed before and after the intervention. CSR students experienced greater improvement in social reasoning compared to RA and RI students. CSR students demonstrated greater improvement in social behavior, whereas RA students failed to translate social reasoning into their social action. The better alignment between social reasoning and social behavior can be attributed to the social constructivist approach that CSR adopts.A one-year embargo was granted for this item

A study of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding biomedical waste management among health care providers in a tertiary care Institute in Punjab

The biomedical waste, if not properly managed, can harm the surrounding environment, cause various infections and injuries to the healthcare workers, patients, their attendants. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among different cadres of health care providers in a tertiary care institute. Expecting that 50% of the study population had precise knowledge about the rules and legislation of biomedical waste management, with an allowable error of 10%, at 95% confidence interval, and accounting for the finite population correction for 1700 participants, a minimum sample size of 426 was taken. Data analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS. Results: Out of 426 subjects, 138 (32.4%) were nurses, 35 (8.2%) were lab technicians and 253 (59.4%) were housekeeping staff. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding biomedical waste management and handling were significantly (p<0.05) higher among the nurses as compared to other health care providers. Conclusions: Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the collection, segregation, rules, and disposal of biomedical waste management was more among nursing staff compared to other health care workers. Hence, emphasis on adequate training is required among other health care workers for the safe handling and disposal of biomedical waste management

Role of Dietary Management and Physical Activity in Control of Hypertension in Rural Areas of Punjab-A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: As reported by WHO, hypertension is the third ‘killer’ disease, accounting for one in every eight deaths worldwide. Many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are found to be associated with the disease. The present study aims to determine the role of dietary management and physical activity in the control of hypertension in a given population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that. Study included all hypertensive patients (290) from the field practice area of a tertiary care institute. A self-constructed, pretested questionnaire was used to enquire about the socio- demographic factors and other risk factors associated with hypertension. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23 and valid conclusions were drawn by using the chi-square test. Results: Out of 290 patients, 204 (70.3%) were females and 86 (29.7%) were males. Univariate analysis identified decreased salt intake, decreased fatty food consumption, physical activity, stress management, and spiritual help as highly significant factors affecting hypertension. On multivariate analysis, physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were found to be significant. Conclusion: The study showed that physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were significantly associated with hypertension control among the elderly. Measures should be taken to create awareness about lifestyle modifications in the control of hypertension

Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for Tuberculosis Patients – Performance Challenges observed by the Providers and Patients

Introduction: Government of India launched an Aadhar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme from 1st April, 2018. Under this scheme, all notified TB patients would receive Rs 500 per month (~US$7) throughout the course of their treatment for nutritional support. Aim and Objectives: To determine the challenges faced by the health providers and patients in the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. Methods: This was a mixed method cross-sectional study conducted on all public and private TB patients notified during the year 2019 under RNTCP (now NTEP) in district Amritsar, Punjab. Quantitative data about the availability and validation of bank accounts was obtained from the Nikshay portal after having permission from the District TB Officer. Qualitative data was obtained from the focus group discussion and in-depth interviews with the involved staff members (17) and patients (20) registered in Tuberculin units of Amritsar. Results: From the Nikshay reports, it was observed that there was significant difference between the public and private sector and between rural and urban areas. Focus group discussion was done with the TB Health Visitor (TBHV) and Senior TB supervisors (STS) and asked about the hurdles they faced. Items were identified and tabulated. In-depth interviews were conducted on 20 patients, 10 each from public and private sector respectively. Data collected was transcribed and arranged as per the themes or questions and then the information was recorded under those sub-headings. Conclusion: The major challenges observed by the providers were lack of support from the private sector, lack of awareness among people, technical issues and more work burden. Patients mostly mentioned about confidentiality issues, lack of awareness, social stigma of the disease, less amount and long and complex process

Piloting the Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Discussion Approach to Enhance Adolescents' Social Emotional Learning

Education and Human Ecology: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Advanced Research Forum)A one-year embargo was granted for this item

Socio-Epidemiological Parameters Influencing the Treatment Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Smear Positive Cases Under Dots in District Amritsar

Introduction: Tuberculosis has brought untold miseries to generations and even today, when newer modalities for diagnosis and treatment have made the disease curable, people are still suffering and dying from this disease. The present study is an attempt to know about the socio-epidemiological parameters affecting the treatment outcome in new smear positive patients under DOTS. Methods: The study was conducted on new smear positive patients registered under DOTS in two Treatment Units (TUs) present in Amritsar city. House to house visits were done and socio-epidemiological parameters were studied by completing a pre designed proforma evolved for this purpose. Results: Out of 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) were males and 101(40.4%) were females. 75.8% of the cases among males and 87.2% among females were in the age group of 15-45 years. Male preponderance, with male to female ratio of 1.5:1 was seen. Socio-demographic factors affecting the treatment outcome were age, sex and marital status. Conclusion: On statistical analysis, it was observed that favourable outcome was significantly associated with mean age of 29.2 ± 13.3 years (p = 0.013), female sex (OR = 2.19, p = 0.04) and unmarried cases (χ2 = 7.186, p = 0.027). Family size, literacy status and socio-economic status were not significantly associated with the treatment outcome

Performance Of Directly Observed Treatment Provider Affecting the Treatment Outcome of Tuberculosis Cases in Amritsar City

Introduction: DOT providers are the key persons in the implementation of the RNTCP at ground level. Objective: To assess the working of DOT providers and DOT centre affecting the treatment outcome in sputum positive TB patients under RNTCP. Materials and Methods: With the help of self designed questionnaire, patients were asked about the working, availability and behaviour of the DOT provider, the distance, timing of DOT, facilities for taking drugs and privacy at the DOT centre. Data management and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 17.00. Results: Of 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) were men and 101 (40.4%) women. It was found that the initial verification of the address by the DOT provider, availability of the DOT provider and the availability of clean water, disposable cups and privacy for the patient were significantly associated with the treatment outcome (p = 0.021, p = 0.006 and p = 0.04 respectively). Behaviour of the DOT provider and the distance of the DOT centre were not significantly associated with the outcome. Conclusion: Direct observation alone is not sufficient for treating TB, quality of working of the DOT provider and facilities at the DOT centre are significantly associated with treatment success