ABSTRACT
It is important to study the problems of the grassroot level workers and the levels of stress that they encounter. The stressed Anganwadi and ASHA workers are likely to be unhealthy, poorly motivated, less productive, and less efficient in implementing the various national programs. Objective: The objective was to study the level of stress among the grassroot level workers and the various factors related. Materials and Methods: Study design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: This was conducted at PHC of Bagalkot district. Study subjects: Grassroot level workers (Anganwadi [n = 46] and ASHA [n = 29] workers) were selected. Sample size: The sample size was 75. Data collection: Date were collected through self-reporting questionnaire schedule consisting of two schedules: (i) Sociodemographic characteristics and (ii) presumptive stressful life events scale questionnaire. Scores used in the study: Fifty-one life events were found to be experienced by the normal Indian population in the past 1 year. For each life event, a mean stress score was given. The total score was obtained for each by adding all the applicable life events scores. Accordingly, they were categorized into no stress, less/moderate stress, and severe stress. Statistical test used: Analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results: About 61.33% were Anganwadi and 38.67% were ASHA workers. 70.67% had mental stress in the past 1 year. 8% of the subjects had a family history of mental illness and 25.33% of them were practicing yoga/meditation. 66.67% of the study subjects had experienced severe stress and 26.67% has mild/moderate stress. The factors such as past history of mental illness, socioeconomic status of the participants, house construction, unfulfilled commitments, unemployment of family member, loan, beginning of school, and marital conflict are significantly associated with level of stress. Conclusion and Recommendations: Psychological stress was found to be more among Anganwadi and ASHA workers. They are suggested to practice healthy lifestyles such as yoga and meditation to relieve stress.
ABSTRACT
Background: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is the world's second leading cause of long-term disability. The current estimate reveals that 120 million people in 83 countries of the world are infected with LF parasites and more than 20% of the world's population are at risk of acquiring infection. The present study was con-ducted to assess the program effectiveness of the 2-drug strategy in terms of actual coverage, compliance rates of MDA against filariasis in the district along with the reasons for non-compliance. Objectives: To eval-uate independently the MDA Programme against Filariasis with respect to its coverage and compliance among the community. To know the reasons for non-compliance. Materials and Methods: A Community based Cross-Sectional Study was conducted in Bijapur District. A total of four clusters, one urban and three rural clusters were selected randomly. All the sampled eligible population who belong to the MDA campaign area were included. The eligible population did not include pregnant and lactating women, children below two years of age and seriously ill persons. The data were collected in pretested Performa, tabulated using Microsoft Excel 2013 and analysed using OPENEpi software. Results: The demographic profile of the study sample is as follows, 67.6% of the population were in the age group of 14-60 years. Male to female ratio was equal. 66.48% of the study population were from rural area and 33.52% were from urban area. 81.63% of the population received the drugs. 79.21% of the population consumed the DEC and Albendazole tablets. 14.60% of the sample population did not consume. Major reasons for not taking tablets were fear of side effects (56.67%) and 22.50% forgotten to take the tablets. Conclusions: The effective coverage was below the target (85%). The overall coverage was better in rural areas compared with urban areas.