Shubhangna Sharma

Self Esteem among Rural Adolescent Girls in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The present study has been conducted with an aim to know the self-esteem of adolescent girls and the factors affecting in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. A total sample of 112 school going girls in the age range of 14 to 19 years were selected from five villages of Kangra district. Self esteem was measured through self esteem scale and the means and percentages were calculated. Results indicated that majority of the girls had average scores of selfesteem with an average of 83.56. Self-esteem scores were found to be positively correlated with the educational status of the girls. The analysis also revealed that the family type of girls affected the scores of self-esteem.

Influence of Home Environment on Psychomotor Development of Infants in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The study focuses on the influence of home environment on psychomotor development of infants through stimulatory intervention on a sample of 145 male and female infants of age birth to 18 months from two villages, one of which served as experimental group and the other control group. A modified version of Home inventory by Bradley and Caldwell was used to know the home environment in addition to the Bayley’s Scale of Infant Development (BSID) which was used to assess motor development of infants. Intervention focusing on aspects of home environment and developmental milestones of infants was provided to mothers of infants along with necessary stimulation to infants was provided to the experimental group while no such experience was given to the control group. All the infants were pre and post tested after the intervention period. The results revealed significant differences in home environment, motor age and psychomotor developmental indices between the experimental and control group infants. A significant association was also found between home environment and psychomotor developmental indices of infants.

Impact of Educational Intervention on Knowledge of Mothers Regarding Childcare and Nutrition in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The study aimed at providing educational intervention to mothers regarding knowledge on childcare and nutrition. The study adopted a pretest-posttest research design. A total sample of 150 mothers was selected from two villages, one of which served as experimental group and the other acted as control group. The tool consisted of a self-structured questionnaire schedule covering aspects of childcare and nutrition. All mothers were first pre-tested regarding their knowledge on nursing, neonatal and infant care, health, child’s growth, behaviour and nutritional aspects. Intervention consisted of educating mothers in the experimental group for a period of one and a half years. All the mothers were then post-tested on the above aspects. Significant differences were seen in all the aspects of childcare and nutrition between experimental and control group mothers during post-testing

Health Awareness of Rural Adolescent Girls: An Intervention Study

Abstract Adolescent girls of age 13 to 19 years constitute nearly 66 million of population in India. The lives of these girls are characterized by limited education, lack of knowledge pertaining to social as well as health aspects and also limited influence on decisions affecting their lives. Thus, awareness is one major factor for development of this group of population because of the fact that these adolescent girls would be the future housewives. A study was undertaken to see the awareness of adolescent girls regarding health aspects through an intervention study. The study adopted a pretest - post test design with an intervention for a specific period. A total of 112 adolescent girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years were selected randomly from government schools of five villages in two blocks of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The tools for assessment consisted of socio-economic status scale and a general awareness scale. The sample group was pretested on their level of general awareness which focused specifically on health aspects. An intervention package was developed on the aspects of health including general health, reproductive and child health, environmental health and nutritional aspects. The intervention was given for nine months to the girls though lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Post testing was done on the girls after the period of intervention. Results showed that the knowledge of girls regarding health aspects improved significantly after intervention. There was a considerable increase in the awareness levels of girls with regard to knowledge of health problems, environmental health, nutritional awareness and reproductive and child health. Thus informative and educable intervention seem to have a positive effect on awareness levels which would eventually encourage expansion of knowledge and positive health habits.

Extent of Female School Drop outs in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The present study was aimed at finding out the extent of school dropouts among girls and to know the factors responsible for low enrolment and dropout of girls in schools. A total sample of 150 respondents was selected from local Government Senior Secondary Schools of Bhawarna Block of Himachal Pradesh. Data were collected from respondents and their parents through specific interview schedules. The major findings revealed a significant association between family type, income and education of mothers with incidence of dropouts. Class wise and year wise analysis showed a decreasing trend of dropping out in the past two years. In parents’ opinion, behaviour of teachers, inappropriate teaching methods, unsuitable curriculum, lack of child’s interest in studies, low grade in class, financial strain and girl’s requirement in household work and care of siblings were important factors for low enrolment and dropout of girls in schools.

Household responsibilities of adolescent girls in Kangra and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh.

Abstract The present study examines the household responsibilities of adolescent girls in Kangra and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. A sample of 440 school going adolescent girls of age 12 to 17 years were identified from two blocks each from Kangra and Kullu districts. The girls were selected from Government schools located within 17 villages of the four blocks of Kullu and Kangra districts. Focus groups discussions were held with girls in schools on the topics of responsibilities expected by girls at home by parents, daily schedule of girls, type of farm activities and domestic activities of boys at home. Each group consisted of 12 to 15 girls from 6th to 10th standards. The results revealed that girls spent most of the time in activities like cooking food, washing clothes and utensils. Boys did not perform much activities in house. It was also observed that fieldwork was the activity which consumed maximum of the time of girls work in a day.

Onset Age of Menopause Among Women in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The present study was conducted in Bhawarna and Panchrukhi blocks of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. 120 respondents (females) were randomly selected from these blocks. Door to door, survey was conducted to get desired information from the respondents. The data were collected through self-designed interview schedule and then analyzed in terms of mean and percentages. The findings indicate that the mean age at menopause is 44.6 years with majority of women having menopause between the ages of 41 to 45 years.

Awareness Among Women Towards Aspects of Family Planning in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The present study was undertaken to know the extent of awareness among married women towards aspects of family planning. A total of 150 married women were randomly selected from two blocks of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Data was collected through self-structured interview schedule. It was found that majority of respondents had knowledge and awareness about various aspects of family planning. Women were the major users of contraceptives as contrary to men. Oral pills were the most used family planning method followed by use of loops.

Gender Differentials in Reading Behaviour Among Children

Abstarct The present study was undertaken with the objective to examine the influence of printed media on children. The present study was conducted in Panchrukhi block of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 100 children (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 6-18 years were randomly selected for the study. The findings indicated that more males as compared to females spent less than one hour in reading newspaper and magazine and preferred to study magazines related to general knowledge, and also were interested in studying books related to crime and detection while females were studying story and drama books. The significant association was observed between males and females on variables like time spent on reading newspaper, type of magazines and books preferred.

Assessment of Mental and Motor Development of Infants in Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract The present investigation was undertaken with the objectives to assess the mental and motor development of infants; to ascertain, the difference between male and female infants. The study was conducted in Hamirpur block of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 210 infants (105 males and 105 females) from eight villages were randomly selected for this study. Bayley’s scale was used to assess the motor and mental development. The finding indicated that the rate of increase in growth was rapid during first 6 months. In all the age groups, males were found to be better in growth as compared to females. PDI (Psychomotor Development Indices) of females was high in all the age group except at 4 months in contrast to males. MDI (Mental Development Indices) of males was high except at 2 months in contrast to females. Positive correlation was found between psychomotor development indices and mental development indices. Negative correlation was found between age and PDI from 6 months to 10 months, whereas negative correlation was found between age and MDI from 2 months to 10 months.