A Cross Sectional Study to Estimate Occupational Stress among Higher Secondary School Teachers in Thalassery, Kerala

Background: Changing norms have overburdened the educators. Our study aims to assess the levels of occupational stress among higher secondary school teachers and demographic, academic characteristics and relevant factors influencing it. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted in Thalassery block of Kannur district, Kerala. The block comprised of 38 schools with 516 teachers. Overall, 484 teachers participated in the study. Modified 慚anual for teacher抯 occupational stress scale� questionnaire was used. Results were analyzed using Chi square test, 憈� test and one way ANOVA. Results: Males were 155 (32%) and females were 329 (68%). The mean age was 40.6 years. Four-fifth (81%) were from government and one-fifth (19%) were from private schools. Majority, 268 (55%), of teachers were found to have mild occupational stress. While, 171 (35%) had moderate stress and 45 (9%) had severe occupational stress. Stress was linked to vast syllabus, time constraint, outside interference, students� behavior, poor infrastructure and favoritism from authorities. Increased teaching experience and rising position in school were significantly associated with stress. Conclusion: All higher secondary school teachers in Thalaserry block of Kannur, Kerala felt occupational stress. Majority (55%) had mild stress, 35% had endured moderate and 9% suffered severe stress.

Practice and knowledge regarding prevention of tetanus among nursing personnel in Delhi.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Delhi to assess the practices and knowledge regarding tetanus immunization among nursing personnel. Majority of the study subjects had received their last dose of tetanus toxoid injection only after injury and just 4.4% received it to complete the immunization schedule. More than 12% subjects did not know whether they had received any tetanus toxoid injection or not, another 5.5% had their last dose of tetanus toxoid more than ten years back. As many as 20 (22.2%) subjects stated that TT should be given after every injury. Of the remaining 70 subjects only 22.9% correctly knew why TT was not required. Only one third of the subjects knew the indications of anti tetanus serum.

Knowledge about tetanus immunization among doctors in Delhi.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the clear-cut guidelines regarding tetanus immunization, we have observed that tetanus toxoid injection is often given after injury without considering previous immunization status. One of the reasons for this could be that the doctors themselves are not aware of the correct immunization schedules against tetanus. AIMS: 1. To assess the knowledge about tetanus immunization in relation to injuries among doctors. 2. To assess their knowledge about tetanus immunization schedules in children, pregnant women and adults. SETTING AND DESIGN: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in Delhi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After complete enlisting of all the government allopathic hospitals and dispensaries, a representative sample (including private practitioners from the nearby area of selected dispensaries) of doctors was selected. All the doctors were personally contacted and information was collected through a pre-structured self-administered proforma. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was analyzed using a computer and wherever applicable Chi-square test/Z test or Fishers' Exact test was applied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As many as 38.3% of doctors favored tetanus toxoid injection after every injury. The correct knowledge of immunization against tetanus in children, pregnant women and adults was 75%, 90.8% and 35.8% respectively. The knowledge regarding when to give boosters was even poorer. The present study showed that doctors had poor knowledge about tetanus immunization that needs to be improved.

Awareness about pulse polio immunization among the general population in Delhi.

A study was conducted in three intensive pulse polio immunization (IPPI) centres in Delhi on 24th September, 2000 to assess the awareness about poliomyelitis and the IPPI programme. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit the information from 182 accompanying persons (41 males and 141 females) by qualified medical doctors. Majority (92.9%) of the respondents knew that the administered drops were polio vaccine. Major sources of information were television (32.9%), relatives or friends (24.2%), health staff (20.9%), poster or leaflets (15.9%). Only 18.1% knew the next IPPI day. Out of 43 claiming to know the number of subsequent IPPI days during 2000, only 22 could tell correctly. A large number of respondents (86.2%) knew that IPPI would help in preventing polio in children. Paralysis of limbs as a clinical feature of polio was known to 70.3%, 45.6% knew that polio cannot be cured and 21.9% perceived that polio could also lead to death. The nationwide intensive awareness campaign for polio eradication was found to be partially effective in disseminating the information.