Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Madhu Gupta ¹, J Venkatachalam ², Nidhi Goyal ¹, Ravinder Kaur ¹, Sonu Goel ¹, Manmeet Kaur ¹, Arun Kumar Aggarwal ¹, Pavitra Mohan ³

Affiliations
1 School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, IN
2 Dept of Community Medicine, PIMS, Pondicherry, IN
3 UNICEF, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

Human resource insufficiency in the resource constraint countries like India insists that the existing human resources are optimally utilized. Supportive supervision is one such strategy to ensure retention of knowledge and skills of existing service providers for optimal implementation of any national health programme. The present study ascertained and documented various models of supportive supervision for implementation of Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) strategy, to reduce under 5 mortality, in terms of its feasibility, sustainability, effectiveness, success and limitation in selected districts of Rajasthan, Orissa and Bihar states in India. The comparison of IMNCI indicators one year after the initiation of supportive supervision had shown that three post natal visits by health workers within 10 days of birth increased by 11.3 %, 20.2% and 37.6% in the districts - Tonk in Rajasthan, Mayurbhanj in Orissa and Vaishali in Bihar, respectively. There was a marked increase in the referral rates for both young infants and sick children in these states. More focused and regular supervisory visits kept health workers motivated and led to better IMNCI indicators in Bihar as compared to Rajasthan and Orissa. Model of supportive supervision involving both internal and external agency was found to be more feasible, sustainable and successful.

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Manmeet Kaur ¹, Harmeet Kaur ²

Affiliations
1 Assistant Professor, Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, IN
2 Principal, Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Autistic spectrum disorders are the complex neurological conditions resulting in impaired social interaction, difficulty in understanding verbal and non-verbal communication. Caring for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is challenging for both children and their caregivers. Paediatric autistic population have restricted stereotyped behavioural conditions thus resulting in psychological distress, depression, anxiety and other physical health problems among caregivers. The Autistic spectrum disorder uplifts its effect in the early 2.5-3years and continues thereafter till the child turns to an adult. Moreover, many caregivers face severe financial crises, given high out-of-pocket health care expenses, unemployment. Certain set of researches conducted reported plethora of psychosocial problems affecting caregivers of children with autism, ranging from stress, depression, anxiety, restrictions of activities, strain in marital relationships and diminished physical health. The paper aims to discuss the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder that is increasing due to altered environmental changes, genetic pre-disposition and inability to maintain regularity in antenatal services. Further more, altered quality of life of the caregivers will also be discussed along with exploration of their concerns while dealing with special children.

Keywords

Child Development Disorders, Prevalence, Health Related Quality of Life, Caregivers concerns

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