Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Exploring Challenges of Access to Non‑Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention, Treatment and Care: A Qualitative Study on People Living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) in West Bengal, India

. Sutapa Biswas; . Debayan Podder; . Sweety Suman Jha; . Prachi Kathuria; . Bobby Paul

Volume 12, Issue 7 , August 2022, , Pages 1-9

Abstract

BACKGROUND: People living with noncommunicable diseases (PLWNCDs) are oftendisproportionately affected due to adverse interaction with socioecological and biological factors.Hence, ... Read More BACKGROUND: People living with noncommunicable diseases (PLWNCDs) are oftendisproportionately affected due to adverse interaction with socioecological and biological factors.Hence, it is imperative to learn from their lived experience to gain a greater understanding ofinteractions as well as explore their priorities and needs in accessing care and identify areas ofpriority action through multistakeholder engagement.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative study with grounded theory approach wasconducted between October and December 2020. An online key‑informant interview with the healthpolicymaker, virtual group discussion with eight PLWNCDs, and in‑depth telephonic interviewswith five PLWNCDs were conducted, after obtaining informed consent using interview guide,developed, and validated by the experts. Data collection continued till data saturation was achieved.Transcripts generated from the interview recordings were coded using hand‑code technique andanalyzed thematically.RESULTS: Challenges faced by PLWNCDs in accessing care were lack of empathy and supportfrom health‑care professionals, stigma, financial hardship, and hospital overcrowding. Caregiversemphasized on the felt need to involve civil society organizations (CSOs) in raising awareness towardnoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) at family, community, and policymaking levels. The need forhome‑based NCD care and rehabilitation centers was voiced by the PLWNCDs. Impediments towardeffective implementation of NCD policies were adoption of a “top‑down” approach, poor awarenessabout government health insurance schemes, skewed distribution of empanelled hospitals in andaround cities, nonavailability of qualified health‑care professionals in underserved areas, aggravatedallocation‑utilization disparity during COVID‑19 pandemic, and lack of robust information technologyinfrastructure to support access to telemedicine services.CONCLUSION: The collective role of governments, CSOs, and health‑care providers, along withmeaningful involvement of PLWNCDs, would help to create an enabling environment for overcomingthe challenges of access to care and thus achieve universal health coverage.

A cross‑sectional study on assessment of perceived threat to cervical cancer using health belief model among women in a slum area of Kolkata

. Akanksha Yadav; . Madhumita Dobe; . Bobby Paul; . Chandrashekhar Taklikar

Volume 12, Issue 4 , April 2022, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of various cervical cancer preventive strategies by the Government of India, there is a scarcity of knowledge and consequent low utilization ... Read More

COVID‑appropriate facemask use: A study among patients attending outpatient Departments of a Public Health Institute in West Bengal

. Arpita Das; . Biswadip Chattopadhyay; . Bobby Paul; . Lina Bandyopadhyay; . Madhumita Bhattacharyya

Volume 12, Issue 3 , March 2022, , Pages 1-8

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic, facemask use has been the most feasible public health measure in preventing transmission of SARS‑CoV2 with the dual benefit of ... Read More BACKGROUND: In the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic, facemask use has been the most feasible public health measure in preventing transmission of SARS‑CoV2 with the dual benefit of controlling the source of infection and decreasing the risk of acquiring infection from infected people. Therefore, COVID‑appropriate behavior regarding facemask use is imperative for controlling the pandemic. This study aimed to assess COVID‑appropriate mask behavior and factors associated with it among the patients attending outpatient departments of a public health institute in West Bengal.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was done among 298 patients attending outpatient departments of Rural and Urban Health Units of a public health institute of Kolkata, during October 2020–February 2021. A pretested questionnaire and an observational checklist based on the World Health Organization guidelines were used to collect data. COVID‑appropriate mask behavior was assessed by a five‑point domain‑wise scale, where good practice regarding facemask usage was considered when the score was three or more. Statistical analyses were done in SPSS 16.0.RESULTS: Good practices regarding COVID‑19 appropriate mask‑related activities were recorded among 30.2% of the study participants. No difficulties faced during or on wearing a mask (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.86, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.1–3.33) and higher socioeconomic status (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.22–4.15) were significantly associated with good practice regarding COVID‑19 appropriate facemask usage.CONCLUSION: The magnitude of poor practice regarding COVID‑appropriate mask‑related behaviors is quite high among the study participants. Awareness regarding correct mask handling, storage, hygiene, disposal, and place of wearing from a reliable source would go a long way to curb the myths and misinformation surrounding mask usage and encourage COVID‑appropriate mask behaviors among the general population.

Contributing factors of willingness and hesitancy regarding acceptance of COVID‑19 vaccine in primary care settings: A qualitative study in an eastern state of India

. Sweety Suman Jha; . Bobby Paul; . Rahul Das; . Biswadip Chattopadhyay; . Arista Lahiri

Volume 12, Issue 2 , February 2022, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For any effective vaccination strategy, the willingness of the beneficiaries and its contributing factors are important. This study was conducted among the health‑care ... Read More BACKGROUND: For any effective vaccination strategy, the willingness of the beneficiaries and its contributing factors are important. This study was conducted among the health‑care workers (HCWs) and community members to find the perceptions regarding the COVID‑19 vaccine and understand the influencers and the barriers of vaccine acceptance.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted from October 2020 to December 2020 in two primary care settings in an urban area. Eighteen in‑depth interviews (IDIs) after taking consent were conducted with the help of IDI guide developed and validated beforehand by the experts. IDIs were done among the ten community members and eight HCWs selected conveniently. Data collection were continued till data saturation when no new information yielded from the interviews. Thematic analysis was performed.RESULTS: All the participants were hopeful about availability of the vaccine. The key influencers identified for promoting willingness to accept the vaccine among both the groups were opinion of the health‑care providers, colleagues’ and other people’s acceptance of the vaccine, effectiveness of vaccine on other people, and perceived risk of the disease. Fear of adverse reactions was the most important barrier among all the respondents. The prevalent perception was that other preventive practices and vaccine together can only be the best solution to prevent COVID‑19 illness. The HCWs perceived that acceptance of vaccine among the community members would be good overall but apprehended some initial difficulties. Mass campaign to promote COVID‑19 vaccination and sensitization events are the need of the hour.CONCLUSIONS: Since opinion of health‑care personnel emerged as an important influencer of vaccine acceptance, mass campaign and sensitization programs spearheaded by the health‑care providers can bring about change by increasing the vaccine acceptance among the beneficiaries at large. Re‑enforcement regarding practice of preventive measures should be made among the population irrespective of the vaccination status.

Attitude and perception of gender equity among students and teachers of a rural school in West Bengal: A mixed‑method approach

. Sweety Suman Jha; . Aparajita Dasgupta; . Bobby Paul; . Pritam Ghosh; . Aloke Biswas

Volume 10, Issue 12 , December 2020, , Pages 1-6

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: “Gender” denotes the differences in the social roles of different sexes. Thisinteraction results in variable health outcomes and care‑seeking behavior. The ... Read More INTRODUCTION: “Gender” denotes the differences in the social roles of different sexes. Thisinteraction results in variable health outcomes and care‑seeking behavior. The present study wasconducted to find out the attitude of school‑going adolescents regarding gender equity and also toexplore teachers’ perceptions in this context in a school of tribal belt of West Bengal.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional, mixed‑method study was conducted among thestudents of classes eight to twelve, chosen by complete enumeration technique, with a predesigned,pretested validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on Gender Equitable Men scaleand International Men and Gender Equality Survey questionnaire, comprising the followingdomains: ‘Gender restrictions’, ‘Gender attributes’, and ‘Gender domination’. The respondents werecategorized into ‘high’, ‘moderate’, and ‘low’ groups as per their domain‑wise attitude scores. In‑depthinterviews (IDIs) were conducted among seven teachers chosen purposively. Thematic analysis wasdone with the qualitative data.RESULTS: Out of 191 students, 112 were girls (58.6%) and 47 belonged to scheduled tribecategory (24.6%). Overall, 170 (89.0%), 80 (41.9%), and 96 (50.3%) students had a highgender‑equitable attitude regarding the domains of ‘gender restrictions’, ‘gender attributes’, and‘gender domination’ respectively. Girls had higher percentage of high gender‑equitable attitude in allthe three domains (92.0%, 57.1%, and 50.9%, respectively). Regarding ‘gender restrictions’, 91.2%had high gender‑equitable attitude in lower age group, compared to 81.4% in higher age group.Among the lower and higher age groups, 52.7% and 41.9% respectively, had high gender‑equitableattitude on ‘gender domination’. Gender inequality amidst poverty, women deprived of health care,and gender violence were the major themes derived from the IDIs.CONCLUSION: Girls had a better attitude toward gender equity. Laws regarding gender dominanceand violence should be focused. Conducting intensified awareness campaigns on gender equity andaddressing women’s right to health is a much‑needed timely intervention for the health of womenfolk.

A study on physical activity by a need‑based curriculum for students in a rural area of West Bengal

. Nirmalya Biswas; . Nazrul Mallick; . Aparajita Dasgupta; . Rabindra Nath Sinha; . Indranil Saha; . Bobby Paul

Volume 10, Issue 10 , October 2020, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Students must be made aware about the essentiality of optimum level of physicalactivity and the fact that it is the key to good health and an important technique to prevent ... Read More

Family planning practices in couples with children affected by β‑thalassemia major and its relationship with their education: An epidemiological study

. Bijit Biswas; . Keya Basu; . Narendra Nath Naskar; . Aparajita Dasgupta; . Bobby Paul; . Rivu Basu

Volume 9, Issue 7 , July 2019, , Pages 1-5

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although prevention the birth of children with β‑thalassemia major (β‑TM) is animportant health issue, it is rarely explored. With this background, the study ... Read More

Mobile phone involvement and dependence among undergraduate medical students in a Medical College of West Bengal, India

. Sreemedha Choudhury; . Indranil Saha; . Tapas Kumar Som; . Gautam Ghose; . Manas Patra; . Bobby Paul

Volume 9, Issue 1 , January 2019, , Pages 1-7

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mobile phone dependence has become an emerging public health problem. Thiscross‑sectional study was conducted to find out the mobile phone involvement and dependenceamong ... Read More

Tobacco‑related morbidity and nicotine dependence: An experience in an urban slum of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India

. Indranil Saha; . Kamirul Islam; . Bobby Paul; . Tapas Kumar Som

Volume 8, Issue 7 , July 2018, , Pages 1-4

Abstract

Tobacco use causes many diseases irrespective of age and sex. More the addiction, more is theoccurrence of morbidity in terms of frequency and severity. This community‑based study ... Read More

Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Articles in Press

Current Issue

Volume 13 (2023)

Volume 12 (2022)

Volume 11 (2021)

Volume 10 (2020)

Volume 9 (2019)

Volume 8 (2018)

Volume 7 (2017)

Volume 6 (2016)

Volume 5 (2015)

Volume 4 (2014)

Volume 3 (2013)

Volume 2 (2012)

Volume 1 (1900)

Author = . Bobby Paul

Exploring Challenges of Access to Non‑Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention, Treatment and Care: A Qualitative Study on People Living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) in West Bengal, India

Abstract

A cross‑sectional study on assessment of perceived threat to cervical cancer using health belief model among women in a slum area of Kolkata

Abstract

COVID‑appropriate facemask use: A study among patients attending outpatient Departments of a Public Health Institute in West Bengal

Abstract

Contributing factors of willingness and hesitancy regarding acceptance of COVID‑19 vaccine in primary care settings: A qualitative study in an eastern state of India

Abstract

Attitude and perception of gender equity among students and teachers of a rural school in West Bengal: A mixed‑method approach

Abstract

A study on physical activity by a need‑based curriculum for students in a rural area of West Bengal

Abstract

Family planning practices in couples with children affected by β‑thalassemia major and its relationship with their education: An epidemiological study

Abstract

Mobile phone involvement and dependence among undergraduate medical students in a Medical College of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Tobacco‑related morbidity and nicotine dependence: An experience in an urban slum of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India

Abstract