Search

This paper explores the different ways that relationships and the relational figure in the integrative approach, relational wellbeing (RWB). These are (1) conceptualising persons as relational subjects; (2) relationships as the means through which people seek to address a wide variety of needs; (3) inter-relations between the experience of wellbeing and the underlying factors within persons and their contexts that either promote or undermine wellbeing; (4) relationships serving as conduits of power and the making of identities; and (5) inter-relations between the concepts and methods of research with representations of (persons and) wellbeing. The main thrust of the paper is theoretical, but it is anchored in long-standing research into wellbeing in the global South and practical experience in applying RWB in the global North. Empirically, it draws, in particular, on a case study from Zambia of a 'meshwork' of relations between birth and foster parents and children moving between households. This places the relational, rather than the individual, at the centre of analysis. It shows how different dimensions of wellbeing may coincide, but there may also be trade-offs between them. Relationships are bearers of power, and it is the interactions of structure and agency that ultimately limit or engender opportunities for sustained individual and collective wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the lives of vulnerable population, including the injecting drug users (IDUs). The objective of the study was to document the coping mechanism adopted by IDUs and suggest measures to mitigate the adverse effects, if similar situation were to arise in future. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted at the Targeted Intervention Non-Government Organizations catering to IDUs in Delhi and Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Four focus group discussions among 41 IDUs and 7 key informant interviews of the NGO staff were conducted in the study. The Hindi recordings were coded and the data analysis was performed manually using grounded theory approach. Results: We found that the lockdown affected the lives of most of the IDUs and they found it difficult to access the harm reduction services. To cope with this, many IDUs started following alternate methods to support the drug habits. There was an increase in reuse of needles and syringes. Conclusion: The lockdown during COVID-19 and the resulting challenges negatively impacted the physical and mental health of the IDUs. We recommend that in any similar future scenario, travel pass may be issued to the IDUs and the TI-NGO personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prisoners are at a higher risk of HIV infection compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among inmates of the Central Prisons in four states of North India. Design/methodology/approach: The HIV sentinel surveillance was conducted in seven Central Prisons in four states of North India from February to April 2019. Four hundred inmates were included from each prison. The interviews were conducted at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre located within the prison premises. The Ethics Committee of the National AIDS Control Organization, New Delhi, granted ethical approval before the start of the surveillance. Findings: Overall, 2,721 inmates were enrolled in this study. The mean (SD) age was 38.9 (13.9) years. One-third of prison inmates had comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The proportion of convict (54%) and undertrial (46%) inmates was almost equal. The overall prevalence of HIV infection among inmates was 0.96% (95% CI 0.65–1.40). The odds of being HIV positive were significantly higher in never married inmates, undertrials, inmates who were in the prison for more than three months to one year, inmates incarcerated for multiple times, inmates with history of injecting drug use and inmates with history of intercourse with a commercial sex worker. Originality/value: The findings from the very first HIV sentinel surveillance in central prisons in North India have been presented in this paper. This has huge implications for future policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental disorders during pregnancy is one of the major public health problem because of its effect on both mother and child. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the burden of common mental disorders (CMDs) among pregnant women in rural Haryana, North India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 28 villages of rural Haryana in 2016. Pregnant women in the study area with period of gestation 25-34 weeks were enrolled and assessed for presence of CMDs in two phases. Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders--Patient Health Questionnaire was used for screening and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for diagnosis of CMDs. Results: A total of 457 pregnant women were included in the study. Mean age of pregnant women was 23.9 years (SD- 3.9). Prevalence of CMDs was 15.3% (95% CI, 12.0--18.6). Of these, major depression was 2.8% (95% CI, 1.4-- 4.4), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder was 15.1% (95% CI, 11.8--18.4) as per MINI. On multivariate analysis, no statistically significant association was found between CMDs during pregnancy with any obstetric, sociodemographic determinants, and child health outcomes. Conclusion: High prevalence of CMDs, especially anxiety, observed among pregnant women in rural area necessitates the need for integration of screening of CMDs during routine antenatal care in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the prospects for a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary and methodologically plural approach to wellbeing? This question is addressed using Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a psychological theory based on quantitative empirical methods, to structure qualitative analysis of wellbeing in life history interviews in Chiawa, rural Zambia. Enquiry goes beyond simply reading across methods, disciplines and contexts, to consider fundamental differences in constructions of the human subject, and how these relate to understandings of wellbeing. Field research took place in two periods, August–November, 2010 and 2012. Analysis draws primarily on 46 individual case studies, conducted through open-ended interviews. These were identified through a survey with an average of 390 male and female household heads in each round, including 25% female headed households. As SDT predicts, the interviews confirm its key elements of autonomy, competence and relatedness as vital to wellbeing. However, these are expressed in ways that highlight material and relational, rather than psychological, factors. Key findings are: the mutual constitution of autonomy, competence and relatedness; the appreciation of autonomy as independence in action; the importance of social competence; and the centrality of relatedness. People appear as social and above all moral subjects. The paper concludes by endorsing SDT's utility in interdisciplinary approaches to wellbeing, but only if it admits its own cultural grounding in the construction of a psychological subject. This would go beyond recognising that autonomy, competence and relatedness may take socially and culturally distinctive forms, to questioning their universal status as basic psychological needs. Implications for organisations working on wellbeing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent female sex workers are at high risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection. There was paucity of information regarding their sexual practices. The main objective of this study was to study the sexual behavior, condom use practices, and physical and sexual violence experienced by adolescent female sex workers (FSWs). Materials and Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of the data collected during the nationwide IBBS 2014–15 survey. All adolescent FSWs aged 15 to 19 years were included in the analysis. The primary outcome variable was HIV serostatus, and independent variables included sexual behavior and condom use practices and socio-demographic variables. Descriptive analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of independent variables. Ethical approval of the original IBBS study was obtained by the Ethics Committee of National AIDS Control Organization. Results: A total of 948 adolescent FSWs were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of HIV in adolescent FSWs was 1.2% [95% confidence interval, 0.1–1.9%]. The mean age [standard deviation (SD)] of FSWs was 18.2 (0.9) years. The mean (SD) age at first sexual intercourse was 15.6 (1.7) years, and the mean (SD) age of starting sex work was 16.6 (1.5) years. The majority of the FSWs (94%) had used condom during the last sexual intercourse with a commercial partner, and about one-thirds (66%) had consistently used condom with a commercial partner. About a quarter (26%) of the FSWs had anal intercourse with a commercial partner in the last 1 month. About one in five FSWs (21%) had experienced physical violence in the last 1 year. Conclusion: Almost one-third of FSWs had high-risk sexual behavior like multiple clients, anal intercourse, inconsistent condom use, and so on. These behaviors in turn increase their vulnerability to HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Materials and Methods Results Conclusions The population of men who have sex with men (MSM) in India is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. India instituted a targeted intervention (TI) programme to reduce this vulnerability. We aimed to measure the assessment of the TI programme for MSM.The national Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey (IBBS) was carried out in 2014–2015. We analysed MSM data from the IBBS and used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to calculate the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The use of a condom during their last sexual intercourse and consistent condom use during the previous month were considered indicators of programme effectiveness. The propensity score matching method was used to assess the effectiveness of the TI programme.The matched‐samples estimate (i.e., average treatment effect on treated) for the use of condoms during their last sexual intercourse increased by 10.0% (0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08–0.12), and consistent condom use during the previous month increased by 9.0% (0.09; 95% CI 0.07–0.10) among those who had received condoms from the peer educator/outreach worker compared with those who had not received condoms.The TI programme intervention among MSM was effective in reducing HIV risk behaviours, as evidenced by an increase in the use of condoms during their last sexual intercourse and consistent condom use during the last month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles well known for facilitating cell-to-cell communication by distributing essential macromolecules like proteins, DNA, mRNA, lipids, and miRNA. These vesicles are abundant in fluids distributed throughout the body, including urine, blood, saliva, and even bile. They are important diagnostic tools for breast, lung, gastrointestinal cancers, etc. However, their application as cancer biomarkers has not yet been implemented in most parts of the world. In this review, we discuss how OMICs profiling of exosomes can be practiced by substituting traditional imaging or biopsy methods for cancer detection. Previous methods like extensive imaging and biopsy used for screening were expensive, mostly invasive, and could not easily provide early detection for various types of cancer. Exosomal biomarkers can be utilized for routine screening by simply collecting body fluids from the individual. We anticipate that the use of exosomes will be brought to light by the success of clinical trials investigating their potential to enhance cancer detection and treatment in the upcoming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to the recent advocacy of subjective wellbeing in policy evaluation with an investigation of food security in rural Chhattisgarh, India, in 2010-2013. Conceptually, it suggests the need to move beyond a primary focus on happiness to consider a broader-based investigation into people's subjective perceptions. In particular, it introduces a multi-domain model with some affinities to the capability approach, which asks what people think and feel themselves able to be and do. Methodologically, it suggests that the primary reliance on quantitative measures should be complemented by more qualitative approaches to give a more rounded appreciation of how people view their lives. Three approaches are presented: qualitative analysis of interview text; statistical analysis comparing a single measure of happiness with a broader, domain-based approach; and mixed qualitative and quantitative data generated from an individual case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the conceptual development of a multi-domain, psychosocial model of 'Inner Wellbeing' (IWB) and assesses the construct validity of the scale designed to measure it. IWB expresses what people think and feel they are able to be and do. Drawing together scholarship in wellbeing and international development it is grounded in field research in marginalised, rural communities in the global South. Results from research in India at two points in time (2011 and 2013) are reported. At Time 1 (n = 287), we were unable to confirm an eight-factor, correlated model as distinct yet interrelated domains. However, at Time 2 (n = 335), we were able to confirm a revised, seven-factor correlated model with economic confidence, agency and participation, social connections, close relationships, physical and mental health, competence and self-worth, and values and meaning (five items per domain) as distinct yet interrelated domains. In particular, at Time 2, a seven-factor, correlated model provided a significantly better fit to the data than did a one-factor model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estimating seroepidemiolgical prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody is an essential public health strategy. There is insufficient evidence of prevalence among those belonging to young age population in India. Objective: To compare the SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate between children and adults in selected sites from India. Materials and Methods: This was a multicentric population-based seroepidemiological study conducted in selected urban and rural areas of five sites selected from four states (Delhi, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura) of India. Participants aged ≥1 year were included from different clusters of each area. Total serum antibody against SARS-CoV-2 virus was assessed qualitatively by using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.Results: Data collection period was from 15 March 2021 to 10 June 2021. Total available data was of 4509 participants, of whom 700 were <18 years of age and 3809 were ≥18 years of age. The site-wise number of available data among those aged 2–17 years was 92, 189, 165, 146 and 108 for the sites of Delhi urban, Delhi rural, Bhubaneswar rural, Gorakhpur rural and Agartala rural area, respectively. The seroprevalence was 55.7% in the <18 years age group and 63.5% in the ≥18 years age group. The prevalence among female children was 58% and among male children was 53%. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate among children was high and comparable to that of the adult population. Hence, it is unlikely that any future third wave by prevailing SARS-CoV-2 variant would disproportionately infect children 2 years or older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that discussion of religion and development sees religion in over-institutionalised ways and is biased towards Christianity over other traditions. It explores this through analysis of the World Bank-sponsored study, Voices of the Poor, and the authors' own research in India. This shows that religious identities and practice can be quite fluid, especially amongst people in lower castes. People identify religion not just in terms of particular affiliations, but in relation to an underlying moral order. The extent to which religions provide welfare and moral leadership varies between religious communities and types of organisation. La vie que mène une personne : religion, bien-être et développement en Inde Ce document soutient que la discussion sur la religion et le développement voit la religion de façon excessivement institutionnalisée et présente un biais en faveur du christianisme plus que toute autre tradition. Il examine cet aspect en analysant l'étude soutenue par la Banque mondiale « Voix des pauvres » et les résultats des recherches entreprises par l'auteur en Inde. Il apparaît que les identités et les pratiques religieuses peuvent être assez fluides, en particulier parmi les membres des castes inférieures. Les personnes identifient la religion non seulement en termes d'affiliations particulières, mais aussi par rapport à un ordre moral sous-jacent. La mesure dans laquelle les religions sont source de bien-être et de direction morale varie d'une communauté religieuse à l'autre et d'un type d'organisation à l'autre. A vida que uma pessoa vive: religião, bem-estar e desenvolvimento na Índia Este artigo argumenta que a discussão sobre religião e desenvolvimento vê a religião de forma institucionalizada em demasia e possui uma inclinação para o Cristianismo em detrimento de outras tradições. Ele examina isto através de análise do estudo financiado pelo Banco Mundial, Voices of the Poor, e a própria pesquisa dos autores na Índia. Isto mostra que as identidades e práticas religiosas podem ser bastante flexíveis, especialmente entre pessoas de castas mais baixas. As pessoas identificam a religião não apenas em termos de afiliações particulares, mas em relação a uma ordem moral de base. Até que ponto a religião oferece bem-estar e liderança moral varia entre comunidades religiosas e tipos de organização. Cómo una persona vive la vida: religión, bienestar y desarrollo en India Este ensayo sostiene que el debate sobre religión y desarrollo aborda la religión desde un marco excesivamente institucional y además está sesgado hacia el cristianismo en detrimento de las otras religiones. El ensayo examina este planteamiento a través del análisis del estudio Voces de los pobres, patrocinado por el Banco Mundial, y de las investigaciones de los autores en India. Demuestra que las identidades y las prácticas religiosas pueden ser muy flexibles, en especial entre las personas de las castas inferiores. Las personas perciben las religiones no solo en términos de adscripciones particulares, sino con respecto a un orden moral subyacente. Las distintas comunidades religiosas y organizaciones proporcionan diferentes grados de bienestar y de liderazgo moral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary objective of this study was to intervene with vitamin D supplementation in rural-based women with pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) to prevent development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: This was an open-label randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in rural women with pre-diabetes and vitamin D deficiency (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02513888). Women aged 20-60 years with pre-diabetes were selected from rural Haryana (north India) and followed up for two years. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and behavioral details, like sun exposure, dietary habits, etc., The intervention group received vitamin D supplementation while control group received lactose granules as placebo. Equal doses of calcium carbonate were given to both the groups. Results: A total of 132 participants were recruited in the study (58 each in the intervention and control groups). It was observed that there was no statistical significance in the incidence of diabetes in the control group as compared to the intervention group at the end of 2 years (P = 0.701). Conclusion: Though during the first year there was some delay in development of DM in the intervention group but at the end of two years there was no significant effect of vitamin D supplementation in delaying the incidence of diabetes in these women after two years. Trial registration: (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02513888). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]