Parental and public investment in children and adolescents

Tribal population is one of the most socially and economically deprived section of Indian communities. Maternal and child health studies among tribal population have been remained largely neglected. The broad objective of the study was to understand the impact of Janani Surakshya Yojana (JSY). The JSY programme – a monetary incentive for promoting institutional deliveries was initiated in year 2005 by Government of India.
The target population for this study was a recently delivered woman (RDW) aged 15-49 years and who delivered a live birth during last two years. A sample of 1046 RDWs was interviewed from 60 villages selected through PPS sampling in Dhar district during Jan. 2008 – Dec. 2009.
The study revealed that the proportion of institutional deliveries has improved among tribal communities because of monetary incentives provided through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). However, still most of the women don’t receive any post-partum follow-up or check-ups. Similarly, medically acceptable newborn practices, such as early drying and wrapping of child, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding are not in practice among Bhils. The study shows an urgent need of IEC intervention among the Bhil tribe related to maternal and child health care practices.

Integrated child development Scheme (ICDS) in India is operational since 1975. The prior objective of the scheme is to reduce child malnutrition and mortality. Gradually its objective expanded and it covers pre-primary education to children 3 to 6 years of age and maternal health services to mothers for getting healthy children at birth and reducing child malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. The child rights related to health care and preprimary education is fulfilled through this program. The ICDS is focusing more on excluded children. Some people are healthy from childhood whereas some are chronically unhealthy. A poor child malnourished is different from a rich child malnourished. Through this program all children are getting supplementary nutrition which will bring equal nutrition status among children belonging to all sections. The objective of this paper is to find out health and nutrition services to children and obstacles arise to fulfill the goal of equal health status of children. For this study purpose primary data (field survey data from) as well as secondary data (National Family Health Survey, National Evaluation Survey by Planning Commission and Other Government and Private Institutions and other government documents) are used for this study. Simple percentage, regression and ANOVA are used for this study.

Under-5 mortality rate of urban poorest was 85 per 1,000 live births where was 27 per 1,000 live births in urban wealthiest. It was estimated that 40% urban population of Bhubaneswar were slum dwellers. The main objective of the study was to assess the immunization coverage and to identify barriers for poor coverage in urban slums of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Required sample is 200 with design effect 2, 10% precision, 95 % confidence interval and estimated immunization coverage of odisha was 59.5% (CES 2009). Fifty six percent (56%) of children were completely immunized, 39.5% were partially immunized and 4.5% had not received any vaccine. Dropout rate was high between BCG and Measles was 22.0%, followed by DPT-1 Measles dropout rate was 21.5%, BCG to DPT 3 dropout rate was 4.4% and DPT 1 to DPT 3 dropout rate was 3.8%. Immunization status was significantly associated with variables like social class, mother education, location of urban health centre, family income and presence of immunization card. Routine immunization coverage was low mainly because of poor measles coverage. Special attention is required for improving measles coverage and can be increased by integrating with mother and child tracking system (MCTS).

Over the last decade, difficulties in transition to adulthood has become a prominent phenomena in Korea. A distinct feature readily identifiable in Korea is the fact that most young adults continue to stay with their parents throughout their protruded transition period until they get married. In Korea, leaving home per se has scarcely been regarded as an event that has a meaning associated with becoming an adult independently from marriage. In this context, this study explores the effect of parent-child relation on the adult-identity among young adults.
An in-depth interview data of 36 never-married young adults ages 25 to 40, and 14 mothers or fathers with children in that age category is analyzed. Some of the findings from the analyses are as follows: The relationship with parents is an important context upon which young adults build their adult-identity. The parent-child relationship could be largely defined by the manner in which parents intervene in their children's transition to adulthood. Four types of parental involvement is could be identified: Aggressive intervention, supportive intervention, non-intervention caused by parental factors, and non-intervention resulted by child's refusal.

Children find themselves amidst a complex society that is undergoing breathtaking changes due to media intervention in every part of our life, including food leading to change in food intake patterns and causing obesity . In this regard, a sample of 156 urban children was studied using dietary schedule consisting of Demographic Profile, Nutritional Profile, Biochemical Profile, Dietary Profile and Cognitive Profile.

The total calorie intake of the sample was found to be below or near the normal , however, calories from fat and proteins intake were relatively high. Serum cholesterol levels above acceptable limits were also found in half of the sample putting them at high risk of developing hypercholesterolemia later. A high level of total fat intake was also found in both the age groups of children. 52% children were on high junk food diet with a high impact of visual media like TV advertisements (87.0%).Higher levels of serum cholesterol were found in 67% of junk food eaters and 82.6% of such children were overweight or at risk of being overweight.

Recommendations for total diet, excess fat, life style and dietary behavioral management were made in order to enhance the healthy dietary practices among urban children

A study of Filipino parents with adolescent children ages 10-19 in two areas in the Philippines reveal the overwhelming negative attitude towards sex education which may explain the low level of sex education both at home and in schools. Many parents who do not discuss these matters feel that their adolescent children are still too young for such topics. Other feel a great deal of discomfort discussing topics which to them are too vulgar and embarrassing to discuss particularly with their own children. Many parents distrust sex education in school and would prefer giving sex education to their adolescent children although some of them admit they are not equipped to handle such matters effectively. Findings also demonstrate the significant gap between the time when the children exhibit readiness to open discussions on matters relating to sex and the time when parents think it is appropriate to start such discussions to take place. The good news is that parents are open to future intervention such as training on parenting that will among others equip them with better skills on how to better handle their adolescents’ sex education.

Abstract:
Malnutrition among children is a significant factor contributing directly to infant and child deaths. Malnutrition among infant and children not only impairs cognitive development but also impacts their overall health, longevity, school performance, resulting in low labor productivity in the prime working ages. Reduction in child malnutrition and poverty as an MDG has to be achieved by 2015. The malnutrition statistics in the state of MP for children under age 5 increased from 54% to 60% over NFHS 2 and 3 intervening period.
Therefore the Government of M P embarked upon implementing Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers at the district hospital to control and prevent undernutrition status among children. 251 severely malnourished children aged 0-60 months were admitted in the NRC during the 6 month study period. Children were admitted for 2 weeks in the NRC. 97% of children reported weight gain during their stay at NRC with 40% of children reported to have gained weight of more than 15% from the date of admission.
This paper aims to understand and analyze the process and factors resulting in success of NRC in reducing undernutrition among children through active engagement of parents and government health system in the State of MP.

Women’s HIV status has been shown to affect parental investments in children’s education, but little research has addressed how this relationship is affected by changes in women’s perceived health condition. Using data from a longitudinal survey conducted in southern Mozambique in 2009 and 2011, we study the role of mothers’ self-rated health on the association between perceived HIV status and children’s schooling. More specifically, we investigate how mother's perceived HIV status and their health assessment in 2009 and 2011 affect children's school enrollment and attendance. Results suggest that for mothers who think they are HIV positive, a change in their health status significantly affect children’s school outcomes.

Immunization has revolutionized child health throughout the world and stands out as one of the greatest public health achievements of 20th century. But the scenario of child immunization in India, especially among Muslims, is far from satisfactory. The paper brings out differentials and inequality in immunization coverage among Muslim children as compared to other religions using nationally representative District Level Household and Facility Survey-3(2007-08) data. Methodologies adopted are concentration index, gender ratio, bivariate and multivariate analysis. Muslim children in India have substantially low immunization coverage as compared to children from other religions and are less likely to be fully immunized and more likely to be not immunized. Among Muslim children, poor and girls are at disadvantageous position. Dropout from immunization schedule is a major problem. Drop out in Polio doses is highest among Muslims due to misconceptions about side effects of vaccine. Special efforts like improving accessibility of services, follow up for drop outs, educating parents especially mothers about need for vaccinating child, and removing myths and misconceptions about immunization is required to improve immunization among Muslims. Government, community organizations, religious leaders and NGOs can play an important role.

India is standing at a crucial juncture relating to substance abuse. The use of alcohol and tobacco is very prevalent among larger masses, including the adolescents. The country is passing through a crucial phase of epidemiological shift. It is estimated that India would have fastest rate of deaths attributable to substance abuse due to the high addiction rate during youth periods of life. Accordingly, the paper aims to assess the present condition of substance abuse among adolescent boys in India by identifying the key factors responsible for their engulfing into Substance abuse. The NFHS-3 data is used by applying appropriate statistical and GIS techniques. Findings reveal that the prevalence of substance abuse is highest among those adolescent boys who are illiterate, have low mass media exposure, living away from home, economically poor and living in the North-Eastern states of India. The use of alcohol is highest among adolescent boys belongs to Christian and Sikh religion whereas tobacco use is highest among Muslims. Adolescents must be educated and make aware of harmful effects of substance abuse through special programmes, especially through peer based approach. Role of mass-media should be strengthened to highlight the health warnings and adverse health implications.