Determinants of School dropouts among adolescents: Evidence from a longitudinal study in India.

INTRODUCTION: India has the largest adolescent population in the world. However, many unprivileged Indian adolescents are still unable to complete schooling. Hence, there is a need to understand the reasons for school dropout among this population. The present study is an attempt to understand the determinants of school dropout among adolescents and identify the factors and reasons that contribute to it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal survey data- Understanding Adults and Young Adolescents (UDAYA) for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has been used to identify the determinants of school dropout among adolescents aged 10-19. The first wave of the survey was conducted in 2015-2016, and the follow-up survey in 2018-2019. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to observe school dropout rates and factors associated with it among adolescents. RESULTS: Results show that the school dropout rate was highest among married girls aged 15-19 years (84%), followed by unmarried girls (46%), and boys (38%) of the same age group. The odds of school dropout among adolescents decreased with an increase in household wealth status. School dropout was significantly less likely among adolescents whose mothers were educated as compared to mothers who had no education. Younger boys [AOR: 6.67; CI: 4.83-9.23] and girls [AOR: 2.56; CI: 1.79-3.84] who engaged in paid work were 6.67 times and 2.56 times more likely to drop out of school than those who were not. The likelihood of school dropout was 3.14 times more likely among younger boys [AOR: 3.14; CI: 2.26-4.35], and it was 89% more likely among older boys [AOR: 1.89; CI: 1.55-2.30] who consumed any substances as compared to those who did not consume any substances. Both younger [AOR: 2.05; CI: 1.37-3.05] and older girls [AOR: 1.30; CI: 1.05-1.62] who acknowledged at least one form of discriminatory practice by parents were more likely to drop out of school than their counterparts. Lack of interest in studies/education not necessary (43%) was the predominant reason among younger boys for school dropout, followed by family reasons (23%) and paid work (21%). CONCLUSIONS: Dropout was prevalent among lower social and economic strata. Mother's education, parental interaction, participation in sports and having role models reduce school dropout. Conversely, factors such as being engaged in paid work, substance abuse among boys, and gender discriminatory practices towards girls, are risk factors for dropout among adolescents. Lack of interest in studies and familial reasons also increase dropout. There is a need to improve the socio-economic status, delay the marital age of girls, and enhance the government incentives for education, give rightful work to girls after schooling, and provide awareness.

Rural-urban differentials in the prevalence of diarrhoea among older adults in India: Evidence from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017-18.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhoeal diseases are common among children and older adults. Yet, majority of the scientific studies deal with children, neglecting the other vulnerable and growing proportion of the population-the older adults. Therefore, the present study aims to find rural-urban differentials in the prevalence of diarrhoea among older adults in India and its states. Additionally, the study aims to find the correlates of diarrhoea among older adults in India. The study hypothesizes that there are no differences in the prevalence of diarrhoea in rural and urban areas. METHODS: Data for this study was utilized from the recent Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-18). The present study included eligible respondents aged 60 years and above (N = 31,464). Descriptive statistics along with bivariate analysis was presented to reveal the preliminary results. In addition, binary logistic regression analysis was used to fulfil the study objectives. RESULTS: About 15% of older adults reported that they suffered from diarrhoea in the last two years. The prevalence of diarrhoea among older adults was found to be highest in Mizoram (33.5 per cent), followed by Chhattisgarh (30.7 per cent) and Bihar (30.2 per cent). There were significant rural-urban differences in the prevalence of diarrhoea among older adults in India (difference: 7.7 per cent). The highest rural-urban differences in the prevalence of diarrhoea were observed among older adults who were 80+ years old (difference: 13.6 per cent), used unimproved toilet facilities (difference: 12.7 per cent), lived in the kutcha house (difference: 10.2 per cent), and those who used unclean source of cooking fuel (difference: 9 per cent). Multivariate results show that the likelihood of diarrhoea was 17 per cent more among older adults who were 80+ years compared to those who belonged to 60-69 years' age group [AOR: 1.17; CI: 1.04-1.32]. Similarly, the older female had higher odds of diarrhoea than their male counterparts [AOR: 1.19; CI: 1.09-1.30]. The risk of diarrhoea had declined with the increase in the educational level of older adults. The likelihood of diarrhoea was significantly 32 per cent more among older adults who used unimproved toilet facilities than those who used improved toilet facilities [AOR: 1.32; CI: 1.21-1.45]. Similarly, older adults who used unimproved drinking water sources had higher odds of diarrhoea than their counterparts [AOR: 1.45; CI: 1.25-1.69]. Moreover, older adults who belonged to urban areas were 22 per cent less likely to suffer from diarrhoea compared to those who belonged to rural areas [AOR: 0.88; CI: 0.80-0.96]. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal that diarrhoea is a major health problem among older adults in India. There is an immediate need to address this public health concern by raising awareness about poor sanitation and unhygienic practices. With the support of the findings of the present study, policy makers can design interventions for reducing the massive burden of diarrhoea among older adults in rural India.