A Pilot Project on Health Assessment of PAC Jawans.

Objective: To determine if changes in the life style bring any positive changes in various physical and psychological parameters. Material & Methods : An arbitrarily selected group of Jawans (32 in number and ranging in age from 35 to 58 years) were assessed in the Department of Psychiatry and other departments like Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT and Physiology for various baseline investigations. Following this, they were subjected to one month of life style changes including regular exercises, Yoga and dietary modifications. After seventy one days a follow through check-up was done in post- intervention period for the same parameters. Results: The reductions in number of subjects having abnormal BMI(Body Mass Index)71.87% to 46.87%, abnormal GHQ-12 (12 items General Health Questionnaire) score- 37.5% to 21.87%, VC(Vital Capacity)- 15.62% to 6.25%, ECG(Electro Cardio-Gram)- 28.12% to3.12%, S. Total Cholesterol- 50% to 18.7%, and S. Triglycerides- 81.25% to 50% were statistically significant on a repeat check post-intervention. Subjectively 25% Jawans reported a feeling of wellbeing at the base investigations whereas 87.5% reported a reduction in mental tensions and enhancement of positive thinking during the feed back. They also reported benefits in various existing health problems and an increase in the self confidence. With special dietary regimes most of the jawans reported reduction in their obesity and various Gastro-intestinal disturbances. With regular Yoga and Pranayam, most of the jawans reported a benefit in their working capacity and occupation as a whole. All in all it can be inferred that such an intervention brings a positive change in the health status of PAC Jawans and no further deterioration has been observed.

Study of Behavioural Problems in Mentally Retarded Children.

Behaviour disorders are common in children with mental retardation and in addition to the subjective distress they cause the individual, they restrict opportunities to engage in many normal activities. Methods- 50 children from age group 6-14 years were randomly selected from a special school for mentally retarded children and assessed. Results- Analysis of the data reveled 66% the children to be above cut off score. Mean CBCL score was 56.42.There was significantly higher prevalence of behaviour problems in the younger age group. There was higher prevalence of behaviour problems in children with moderate mental retardation than in children with mild mental retardation. Common behaviour problems reported were ‘ impulsive or acts without thinking’, ‘can not concentrate’ & ‘sudden changes in mood or feelings’. Common behaviour problems in younger age group were ‘impulsive’, ‘can’t concentrate’, ‘ acts too young for her age ‘ etc. and in the older group it was ‘impulsive’, ‘can not concentrate’ and ‘acts too young for her age’. Common behaviour problems in children with mild mental retardation were impulsive’, ‘can’t concentrate’, ‘Gets hurt a lot, accident prone’ etc and in children with moderate retardation were ‘can’t concentrate’, ‘bites fingernails’, ‘Gets hurt a lot, accident prone’ etc. Discussion- Analysis of the data revealed a significantly higher prevalence of behaviour problem in mentally retarded children. Behaviour problems were more in the younger age group There was higher prevalence of behaviour problems in children with moderate mental retardation than in children with mild mental retardation. No specific trend could be observed in the types of behaviour problems as regards to sex, age, income of the parents and severity of mental retardation.