Development of an IEC resource (brochure) on suicide prevention for college students: A qualitative study in the Indian context.

BACKGROUND: Information Education Communication (IEC) materials play a vital role in behavior change by raising awareness about health issues. In India, suicide is the leading cause of death in the age group of 15-39 years, exemplifying the pressing need for raising awareness about suicide prevention. This study aimed to develop a brochure on suicide prevention for young adults with the help of scientific methodology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional qualitative research design was used in the study, and purposive sampling was used to collect the data. The study analyzed the awareness level and existing knowledge gap about suicide prevention among college students with the help of focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted independently among mental health experts, college teachers, and college students. Based on the findings from the FGDs, a comprehensive brochure was developed. The qualitative data collected by FGDs were analyzed using direct content analysis. RESULTS: The findings of the FGDs helped identify the knowledge gaps with regard to young adult suicide prevention, and a brochure was prepared to address the same. CONCLUSION: The development of young adult suicide prevention IEC resources pertinent to Indian settings is crucial. To bridge the knowledge gap on suicide prevention among college students and raise awareness, a brochure was developed based on scientific findings of the FGDs.

Perceived Difference in Handling Stress and Self-Care Strategies at Workplace among Public Sector Employees of Land Resources Development Department.

The perception of the employees on handling stress at workplace and effectiveness of stress management programs varies due to multiple internal and external factors. Thus, the present study aims to measure the perceived level of difference in psychosocial stress at workplace following a stress management program. This was an interventional study conducted among 30 public sector employees working in Land Resources Development Department. The study tools used were K10, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and a work-life balance questionnaire which were quantitatively analyzed using paired t-test, and also, thematic analysis was used to assess the effectiveness of the stress management program. Stress management abilities improved on the work-life balance questionnaire with a P value of 0.027 after the intervention and a significant difference in the environment domain with a P value of 0.041 was found on WHOQOL-BREF. Thematic analysis showed a perceived reduction in negative reactions to work stress and improvement in self-care strategies after the intervention. This study highlights the subjective experience of work stress and stress management abilities that need to be addressed through the effective collaborative model of a stress management program.

Effective use of social media platforms for promotion of mental health awareness.

BACKGROUND: Social media platforms are progressively developing as a rich source of mass communication. Increasing mental health awareness with the help of social media can be a good initiative to reach out to a large number of people in a short time frame. This study was conducted to understand the usefulness of social media platforms for health promotion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a qualitative study to evaluate the effectiveness of social media platforms in hosting health promotion campaigns in the field of mental health, which was observed over 5 months from May to September 2019 to reach more people for effective information dissemination. The campaigns were as follows (1) The Buddies for Suicide Prevention: an online campaign to create awareness about suicide prevention. The campaign included script writing, slogan writing, poster making, and short films making, organized for the general public who were interested to take part; (2) The #Iquitobacco was a 21-day campaign with an idea of tobacco cessation in the community, conducted among social media viewers who were willing to participate; and (3) #Migrainethepainfultruth was yet another campaign conducted among the social media viewers who were interested to participate. All the campaigns were conducted using two famous social media platforms commonly used by young adults. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and proportions were computed for the number of likes and shares. RESULTS: The Facebook and Instagram posts concerning all the campaigns brought about a considerable amount of reach to the targeted population. After the campaigns, the page reached to around 10.3 k people (both fans and nonfans). CONCLUSIONS: Use of social media to conduct mental health campaigns is an effective initiative as one can reach out to several people over a short time period. There is an increasing trend in the awareness of mental health with the effective use of digital media as a platform for disseminating information.

Potential for Increased Epilepsy Awareness: Impact of Health Education Program in Schools for Teachers and Children.

Background Epilepsy, although a common disorder, yet is highly stigmatized. Under this condition, children with epilepsy are more vulnerable to stigmatization, social isolation, lack of support, and psychological and emotional problems. Thus, there is an immediate need of literature focusing on intervention studies to change the attitudes of school teachers and children. Methods The study was conducted with the objectives to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about epilepsy among school teachers and children; provide educational training program to teachers; and check the efficacy of training program imparted by teacher and trainer. Results Repeated measure of analysis of variance shows that knowledge ( F = 1,134.875, p < 0.001), attitude ( F = 2,429.909, p < 0.001), and practice ( F = 2,205.122, p < 0.001) are significantly different between pre- and posttests indicated by Pillai's trace test. Similarly, from the Pillai's test, knowledge ( F = 49.317, p < 0.001), attitude ( F = 125.304, p < 0.001), and practice ( F = 178.697, p < 0.001) are significantly different among teachers, trainer imparting training to children, and teachers imparting training to children. It is seen that KAP scores significantly differ between two time points and across the three groups. Among all the groups, teachers imparting training to children had high level of practice. Conclusion Inclusion of health education programs in the textbooks and health education schemes for teachers and school children are crucial ways to bring a change in their attitude, behavior, and practices toward epilepsy.

Potential for Increased Epilepsy Awareness: Impact of Health Education Program in School on Teachers and Children.

Background Although epilepsy is a common disorder, it is highly stigmatized. Not only public but even teachers are not free from stigmatization and cultural barriers. Under this condition, children with epilepsy are more vulnerable for stigmatization, social isolation, lack of support, and psychological and emotional problems. At the same time, there is an immediate need of literature focusing on intervention studies to change the attitudes of school teachers and children. Materials and Methods The study was conducted with the objectives to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices about epilepsy among school teachers and children; provide educational training program to teachers; and check the efficacy of training program imparted by teacher and trainer. Results Repeated measure of analysis of variance shows that knowledge ( F = 1134.875, p < 0.001), attitude ( F = 2429.909, p < 0.001), and practice ( F = 2205.122, p < 0.001) are significantly different between pre- and posttest indicated by Pillai's trace test. Similarly, from the Pillai's test knowledge ( F = 49.317, p < 0.001), attitude ( F = 125.304, p < 0.001) and practice ( F = 178.697, p < 0.001) are significantly different among the teachers, trainer imparted training group of children, and teachers imparted training group of children groups. It is seen that knowledge, attitude, and practice scores significantly differ between two time points and across three groups. Among all the groups, teachers imparted training group children had high level of practice. Conclusion Inclusion of health education programs in the textbooks and health education schemes for teachers and school children is a crucial way to bring a change in their attitude, behavior, and practices.

Potential for a comprehensive stroke education: Assessing awareness about stroke among community health workers - A qualitative study from Urban Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

CONTEXT: The incidence of stroke is evolving to be a major public health issue in recent years. The situation is aggravated by the limited public awareness about its risk factors and treatment procedures. It is important to explore the level of awareness of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) about stroke as they work in the community as part of the public healthcare delivery systems. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the awareness about stroke among the ASHAs through a qualitative study. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted in the institution using a cross-sectional qualitative approach. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A focus group discussion with 12 ASHAs from Bengaluru district of Karnataka was conducted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed manually through direct content analysis. RESULTS: It was revealed that the ASHAs did not have adequate general awareness about stroke, its causes, and related treatment procedures. The ASHAs overgeneralized the causes to lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking, and so on. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the level of awareness of stroke among the ASHAs is inadequate at present, and they would benefit from systematic sensitisation programmes. Limited awareness could lead to failure to identify the early warning signs and appropriate, timely help. A need of a comprehensive educational program to increase their awareness is emphasized.

Exploring knowledge, attitude, and practices in relation to epilepsy among undergraduates for effective health promotion: Initial evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The condition of epilepsy has a considerable effect on a person's social and personal life. Currently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the knowledge, attitude, and perception towards epilepsy among graduate students. The objectives of the study were to initially explore the knowledge, attitude, practices and to examine their inter-relationship among graduate students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 300 3rd year Bachelor of Science graduate students from colleges near Hombegowda nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka were included from three colleges. To achieve the objective mentioned, an instrument was framed and approved by specialists in the field. RESULTS: About 26% believed that epilepsy is a mental illness, 64% reported that it is not a disease of the brain, 96% believed it to be a hereditary disease. Attitude shows that 29%, 33%, and 49% believed that Epilepsy can disturb anybody's normal life, education, and occupation, respectively. About 31% reported that if they see a person with epileptic attack they ran away. Knowledge score have significantly (P < 0.001) positive correlation of r = 0.810 and r = 0.794 with both attitude and practice, respectively. Attitude and practice also have significantly (P < 0.001) positive correlation (0.856) with practice. This clearly shows that if knowledge increases, persons will have positive attitude and good practices whereas less knowledge leads to faulty attitude and practices. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to include health education programs for school children and college students irrespective of streams, as it is crucial to bring an alteration in the presently observed perspective, behavior, and practice.