Secular Trends in Menarcheal Age in India-Evidence from the Indian Human Development Survey

Background: Evidence from a number of countries in Europe and North America point towards the secular declining trend in menarcheal age with considerable spatial variations over the past two centuries. Similar trends were reported in several developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, data corroborating any secular trend in the menarcheal age of the Indian population remained sparse and inadequately verified. Methods: We examined secular trends, regional heterogeneity and association of socioeconomic, anthropometric and contextual factors with menarcheal age among ever-married women (15–49 years) in India. Using the pseudo cohort data approach, we fit multiple linear regression models to estimate secular trends in menarcheal age of 91394 ever-married women using the Indian Human Development Survey. Results: The mean age at menarche among Indian women was 13.76 years (95 % CI: 13.75, 13.77) in 2005. It declined by three months from 13.83 years (95% CI: 13.81, 13.85) among women born prior to 1955–1964, to nearly 13.62 years (95% CI: 13.58, 13.67) among women born during late 1985–1989. However, these aggregate national figures mask extensive spatial heterogeneity as mean age at menarche varied from 15.0 years in Himachal Pradesh during 1955–1964 (95% CI: 14.89–15.11) to about 12.1 years in Assam (95% CI: 11.63–12.56) during 1985–1989. Conclusion: The regression analysis established a reduction of nearly one month per decade, suggesting a secular decline in age at menarche among Indian women. Notably, the menarcheal age was significantly associated with the area of residence, geographic region, linguistic groups, educational attainment, wealth status, caste and religious affiliations among Indian women

High Voltage Time-dependent Dielectric Breakdown Study of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Dielectric Films for a Flexible Electrostatic Energy Storage System

In recent years, climate change has been an alarming issue and there is a pressing need for a greener, cost-effective, durable high-density energy storage system. This thesis investigates an electrostatic energy storage method using flexible roll-to-roll capacitors at very high voltages (5 kV – 10 kV) and investigates PVDF as a potential dielectric material for the capacitors. PVDF is chosen as a material due to its high dielectric constant, high dielectric breakdown strength, and low flexural modulus (high flexibility). Short-time stepped voltage ramp dielectric breakdown and the time-dependent dielectric breakdown for 75 μm PVDF films have been studied to understand the DC dielectric breakdown strength for the application of PVDF dielectrics under high voltage stress for long periods of time. It has been shown that PVDF can withstand up to 10 kV and does not break down instantaneously. The failure rate dependence on electric field and temperature has been shown along with the prediction of the lifetime of PVDF dielectrics for a period of 10 years (100000 hours). It was found that a capacitor voltage range of 4000 - 9200 V for a 100 μm PVDF dielectric film would lead to a time to failure of 10 years. The acceleration parameters and activation energy of PVDF films have also been shown to demonstrate the temperature dependence on TDDB of PVDF films. This thesis attempts an in-depth understanding of dielectric breakdown mechanisms, proposes, and investigates PVDF as a potential dielectric candidate, and analyzes the TDDB of polymer films using the thermochemical model (E model)

Does family life education influence attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health matters among unmarried young women in India?

IntroductionInadequate efforts towards meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people, who disproportionately share the burden of unwanted pregnancies, poor maternal and child health outcomes, risks of RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS, increase the risk of losing much of the progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals over the last decade, particularly in the context of low-and-middle-income countries like India.Data and methodsUsing the nationally representative data on 160551 unmarried young women aged 15-24 years from the District Level Reproductive and Child Health Survey (DLHS: 2007-2008) in India, this research evaluated the demographic and socioeconomic differentials in the access to family life/sex education (FLE) among youth in India. Using the adjusted multiple logistic regression models, the association between access to family life/sex education and attitudes towards a range of sexual and reproductive health matters among young unmarried Indian women were investigated.ResultsLess than half of the unmarried young women had received some form of FLE (48 percent) in India. However, there were substantial demographic and socioeconomic variations in their access to FLE, as relatively less educated women from the poorest wealth quintiles, religious and social minorities (Muslims, Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) were significantly less likely to receive FLE as compared to other women. Importantly, the likelihood of holding favourable/positive attitudes towards reproductive processes, knowledge and discussion of contraceptive methods, precise awareness about the transmission pathways of RTIs/STIs and HIV/AIDS was significantly higher among those women in India who had access to FLE.ConclusionThe present research underscores the protective role of family life education towards improving the sexual and reproductive life experiences of young people. It further underscores the vital need to implement a comprehensive and culturally appropriate programme of family life education in order to meet the sexual and reproductive health demands of the adolescents and young people in India

Youth in India ready for sex education? Emerging evidence from national surveys.

CONTEXT: Sex education/family life education (FLE) has been one of the highly controversial issues in Indian society. Due to increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS, RTIs/STIs and teenage pregnancies, there is a rising need to impart sex education. However, introducing sex education at school level always received mixed response from various segments of Indian society. DATA AND METHODS: We attempt to understand the expectations and experiences of youth regarding family life education in India by analysing the data from District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3: 2007-08) and Youth Study in India (2006-07). We used descriptive methods to analyse the extent of access to FLE and socio demographic patterning among Indian youth. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: We found substantial gap between the proportion of youth who perceived sex education to be important and those who actually received it, revealing considerable unmet need for FLE. Youth who received FLE were relatively more aware about reproductive health issues than their counterparts. Majority among Indian youth, irrespective of their age and sex, favoured introduction of FLE at school level, preferably from standard 8(th) onwards. The challenge now is to develop a culturally-sensitive FLE curriculum acceptable to all sections of society

Experiences of Unmarried Women who received family life/sex education (percentages).

<p>Source: IIPS, 2010.</p

Awareness and perception regarding family life/sex education among Unmarried Women (percentages).

<p>Note: *Among Women who perceived family life education to be important.</p><p>Source: - IIPS, 2010.</p

Experiences of Youth who received Family Life Education (percentages).

<p>Source: IIPS & Population Council, 2010.</p

Knowledge and Awareness on Reproductive Health Issues among Unmarried Women, with and without FLE (percentages).

<p>Note: ^φKnowledge about how to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission includes the awareness of the respondents on any of the ways to reduce the chances of getting HIV/AIDS such as abstain from sex, using condoms correctly, limit sex with one partner/stay faithful to one partner, limit number of sexual partners, avoid sex with sex workers, avoid sex with persons who have many partners, avoid sex with homosexuals, avoid sex with persons who inject drugs, use tested blood, use only new/sterilized needles, avoid IV drip, avoid sharing razors/blades, avoid pregnancy when having HIV/AIDS.</p>#<p>Any modern method of contraception includes female sterilization, pill, condom/nirodh, male sterilization, IUD, injectables and emergency contraceptive pills.</p>Ψ<p>Any traditional method of contraception includes rhythm, withdrawal and other traditional methods.</p><p>Source: IIPS, 2010.</p

Perception and actual experience of family life/sex education among unmarried women by their background characteristics (percentages).

<p>Source: IIPS, 2010.</p

Breast Stimulation in Low-Risk Primigravidas at Term: Does It Aid in Spontaneous Onset of Labour and Vaginal Delivery? A Pilot Study

Aims. The aim of the study was to elicit the safety and efficacy of breast stimulation as an intervention to prevent postdatism and as an aid in spontaneous onset of labour. Methods. Primigravidas with cephalic presentation, without any high-risk factor, were recruited between 36 to 38 weeks of gestation. 200 patients were recruited and randomized into two groups (n = 100). Breast stimulation was advised to one group but not to the other group. Bishop’s scoring was done at 38 weeks and repeated at 39 weeks of gestation. Maternal and fetal outcomes were compared in two groups. Result. Bishop’s score changed from 3.12 (±1.01) to 3.9 (±1.08) in control group and from 3.02 (±0.82) to 6.08 (±1.29) in breast stimulation group after one week (P value < 0.0001). The period of gestation at delivery was 39.5 (±2.3) weeks in control group and 39.2 (±2.8) weeks in intervention group (P value: 0.044). There were increased chances of vaginal delivery in intervention group (P value: 0.046). Duration of labor, hyperstimulation, presence of meconium stained liquor, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups. Conclusion. Breast stimulation in low-risk primigravidas helps in cervical ripening and increases chances of vaginal delivery