"Examining Environment and Health Interactions: Responding with communities to the challenges of ... more "Examining Environment and Health Interactions: Responding with communities to the challenges of our times" is a review and analysis of SOCHARA's involvement in the field of environmental and occupational health between 1984 and 2010. Besides involvement in several campaigns like the campaign for relief of victims at Bhopal, research on vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, and inputs given to state level health policy reports, this report gives some insight into the concept, history and scope of the CHESS (Community Health Environment Survey Skill-share) initiative, the informal network and the associated workshops that have been conducted. At the end of the report, an analysis and reflection of the past activities has been presented with the intention of drawing lessons for future course of action in the field.
Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine
The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association b... more The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association between serum total IgE levels and job categories and occupational health hazards of waste disposal area was limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between occupational health hazards and Serum total IgE in waste disposal area. One hundred eighty subjects working in waste disposal areas in different parts of Bangalore at Karnataka, India were enrolled into the study in 2009. Using questionnaire the respiratory morbidity and other work related problems in HWW was carried. The levels of serum total IgE in study subjects were determined by using Enzyme-linked -immunosorbent assay kits (DRG International Inc, USA). The differences of serum total IgE levels between the groups were computed by using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. SPSS 10.0 for windows version of statistical software was used in the analysis. The levels of serum total IgE was significantly incr...
Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2012
The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association b... more The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association between serum total IgE levels and job categories and occupational health hazards of waste disposal area was limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between occupational health hazards and Serum total IgE in waste disposal area. One hundred eighty subjects working in waste disposal areas in different parts of Bangalore at Karnataka, India were enrolled into the study in 2009. Using questionnaire the respiratory morbidity and other work related problems in HWW was carried. The levels of serum total IgE in study subjects were determined by using Enzyme-linked -immunosorbent assay kits (DRG International Inc, USA). The differences of serum total IgE levels between the groups were computed by using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. SPSS 10.0 for windows version of statistical software was used in the analysis. The levels of serum total IgE was significantly incr...
The World Health Organization has identified open defecation as a public health problem, with 620... more The World Health Organization has identified open defecation as a public health problem, with 620 million people practicing it worldwide. Latrines are not just an issue of sanitation or hygiene, but also related to privacy, dignity and equity. Despite existing sanitation programmes in India, open defecation continues and several constructed toilets remain unused. This study explored the reasons for the same. The decision towards submission towards this conference was made based on its scope to include multi-disciplinary papers on water and sanitation and behavioural change.
Method: A qualitative design was used for this exploratory study based in Bhawal village, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. Fifteen interviews (six men, four women, one senior citizen, two children, one block officer and one district coordinator) and four focus group discussions (one each with youth, village health and sanitation committee, self-help group and local activists) were conducted using discussion guides. The interviews and discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was done using MS Word and NVivo.
Results: The main issues identified were the lack of awareness about the health impacts of open defecation, preference for open environment, water scarcity, lack of interest towards sanitation by local self government, poor fund management, non-availability of construction materials, poverty, corruption, poor construction quality and poor monitoring of sanitation programme.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Efforts in 2009 under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to improve sanitation were focused towards construction of toilets but not towards empowering the community to adopt toilets. Also, poor implementation of sanitation programme is comparable with similar status of other governmental services, such as the health system. In addition, cultural factors played a role (Bhawal is a Gond tribal village). Several experiences from across the world have shown that construction of toilets alone is inadequate to prevent open defecation. There is a need for concomitant strengthening of local water management and behavioural change through community led approaches keeping rights and responsibilities in mind.
This is a qualitative study on the perceptions of the manual scavenging/conservancy worker commun... more This is a qualitative study on the perceptions of the manual scavenging/conservancy worker community on their occupation and the health impacts of their occupation. Group discussions were conducted and a thematic analysis was performed. While several occupational health issues were identified, the main concern of the community was the expenses borne in accessing healthcare. The oppression faced by the community on several fronts, especially in the context of inability to leave the occupation was also noted.
Introduction: Proper disposing of human faecal waste is necessary for good health. In India, 53.1... more Introduction: Proper disposing of human faecal waste is necessary for good health. In India, 53.1% of the households do not have a toilet, with the percentage being as high as 69.3% in rural areas and 18.6% in urban areas. Evidence suggests that women face sexual harassment and malnutrition due to practice of open defecation. There was a need to study access to toilets as a determinant of mental health among women. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in five villages and two slums of Hospet taluka, Bellary District, Karnataka between April and May 2014. Twenty five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with women using a semi-structured tool and a discussion guide respectively. They were voice recorded. Verbal informed consent was taken prior to data collection. The data was later transcribed into English, and analysed thematically using N-Vivo software. Result: The findings suggested that lack of access to toilets for women led to absence of privacy, exposure to teasing and harassment, suspicion by family members and humiliation in public. The women reported that these issues induced feelings of fear and distress, reduced sleep, reduced intake of food, lower self confidence, confused state of mind and constant worry about the future. The feeling of being worthlessness and thoughts of suicide were also pointed out. It was identified that the key causes of not building toilets are associated with economic and cultural factors and patriarchal nature of decision-making. Conclusion: Access to sanitation is one of the determinants of mental health among women. While efforts such as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan aim to provide toilets for every household, there needs to be greater monitoring and speedy implementation of the project, along with necessary behavioral change interventions at community level.
"Examining Environment and Health Interactions: Responding with communities to the challenges of ... more "Examining Environment and Health Interactions: Responding with communities to the challenges of our times" is a review and analysis of SOCHARA's involvement in the field of environmental and occupational health between 1984 and 2010. Besides involvement in several campaigns like the campaign for relief of victims at Bhopal, research on vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, and inputs given to state level health policy reports, this report gives some insight into the concept, history and scope of the CHESS (Community Health Environment Survey Skill-share) initiative, the informal network and the associated workshops that have been conducted. At the end of the report, an analysis and reflection of the past activities has been presented with the intention of drawing lessons for future course of action in the field.
Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine
The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association b... more The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association between serum total IgE levels and job categories and occupational health hazards of waste disposal area was limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between occupational health hazards and Serum total IgE in waste disposal area. One hundred eighty subjects working in waste disposal areas in different parts of Bangalore at Karnataka, India were enrolled into the study in 2009. Using questionnaire the respiratory morbidity and other work related problems in HWW was carried. The levels of serum total IgE in study subjects were determined by using Enzyme-linked -immunosorbent assay kits (DRG International Inc, USA). The differences of serum total IgE levels between the groups were computed by using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. SPSS 10.0 for windows version of statistical software was used in the analysis. The levels of serum total IgE was significantly incr...
Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2012
The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association b... more The exposures of bio-aerosols have reported higher occupational health hazards, the association between serum total IgE levels and job categories and occupational health hazards of waste disposal area was limited. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between occupational health hazards and Serum total IgE in waste disposal area. One hundred eighty subjects working in waste disposal areas in different parts of Bangalore at Karnataka, India were enrolled into the study in 2009. Using questionnaire the respiratory morbidity and other work related problems in HWW was carried. The levels of serum total IgE in study subjects were determined by using Enzyme-linked -immunosorbent assay kits (DRG International Inc, USA). The differences of serum total IgE levels between the groups were computed by using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. SPSS 10.0 for windows version of statistical software was used in the analysis. The levels of serum total IgE was significantly incr...
The World Health Organization has identified open defecation as a public health problem, with 620... more The World Health Organization has identified open defecation as a public health problem, with 620 million people practicing it worldwide. Latrines are not just an issue of sanitation or hygiene, but also related to privacy, dignity and equity. Despite existing sanitation programmes in India, open defecation continues and several constructed toilets remain unused. This study explored the reasons for the same. The decision towards submission towards this conference was made based on its scope to include multi-disciplinary papers on water and sanitation and behavioural change.
Method: A qualitative design was used for this exploratory study based in Bhawal village, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. Fifteen interviews (six men, four women, one senior citizen, two children, one block officer and one district coordinator) and four focus group discussions (one each with youth, village health and sanitation committee, self-help group and local activists) were conducted using discussion guides. The interviews and discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was done using MS Word and NVivo.
Results: The main issues identified were the lack of awareness about the health impacts of open defecation, preference for open environment, water scarcity, lack of interest towards sanitation by local self government, poor fund management, non-availability of construction materials, poverty, corruption, poor construction quality and poor monitoring of sanitation programme.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Efforts in 2009 under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to improve sanitation were focused towards construction of toilets but not towards empowering the community to adopt toilets. Also, poor implementation of sanitation programme is comparable with similar status of other governmental services, such as the health system. In addition, cultural factors played a role (Bhawal is a Gond tribal village). Several experiences from across the world have shown that construction of toilets alone is inadequate to prevent open defecation. There is a need for concomitant strengthening of local water management and behavioural change through community led approaches keeping rights and responsibilities in mind.
This is a qualitative study on the perceptions of the manual scavenging/conservancy worker commun... more This is a qualitative study on the perceptions of the manual scavenging/conservancy worker community on their occupation and the health impacts of their occupation. Group discussions were conducted and a thematic analysis was performed. While several occupational health issues were identified, the main concern of the community was the expenses borne in accessing healthcare. The oppression faced by the community on several fronts, especially in the context of inability to leave the occupation was also noted.
Introduction: Proper disposing of human faecal waste is necessary for good health. In India, 53.1... more Introduction: Proper disposing of human faecal waste is necessary for good health. In India, 53.1% of the households do not have a toilet, with the percentage being as high as 69.3% in rural areas and 18.6% in urban areas. Evidence suggests that women face sexual harassment and malnutrition due to practice of open defecation. There was a need to study access to toilets as a determinant of mental health among women. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in five villages and two slums of Hospet taluka, Bellary District, Karnataka between April and May 2014. Twenty five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with women using a semi-structured tool and a discussion guide respectively. They were voice recorded. Verbal informed consent was taken prior to data collection. The data was later transcribed into English, and analysed thematically using N-Vivo software. Result: The findings suggested that lack of access to toilets for women led to absence of privacy, exposure to teasing and harassment, suspicion by family members and humiliation in public. The women reported that these issues induced feelings of fear and distress, reduced sleep, reduced intake of food, lower self confidence, confused state of mind and constant worry about the future. The feeling of being worthlessness and thoughts of suicide were also pointed out. It was identified that the key causes of not building toilets are associated with economic and cultural factors and patriarchal nature of decision-making. Conclusion: Access to sanitation is one of the determinants of mental health among women. While efforts such as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan aim to provide toilets for every household, there needs to be greater monitoring and speedy implementation of the project, along with necessary behavioral change interventions at community level.
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Method:
A qualitative design was used for this exploratory study based in Bhawal village, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. Fifteen interviews (six men, four women, one senior citizen, two children, one block officer and one district coordinator) and four focus group discussions (one each with youth, village health and sanitation committee, self-help group and local activists) were conducted using discussion guides. The interviews and discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was done using MS Word and NVivo.
Results:
The main issues identified were the lack of awareness about the health impacts of open defecation, preference for open environment, water scarcity, lack of interest towards sanitation by local self government, poor fund management, non-availability of construction materials, poverty, corruption, poor construction quality and poor monitoring of sanitation programme.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
Efforts in 2009 under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to improve sanitation were focused towards construction of toilets but not towards empowering the community to adopt toilets. Also, poor implementation of sanitation programme is comparable with similar status of other governmental services, such as the health system. In addition, cultural factors played a role (Bhawal is a Gond tribal village). Several experiences from across the world have shown that construction of toilets alone is inadequate to prevent open defecation. There is a need for concomitant strengthening of local water management and behavioural change through community led approaches keeping rights and responsibilities in mind.
Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in five villages and two slums of Hospet taluka, Bellary District, Karnataka between April and May 2014. Twenty five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with women using a semi-structured tool and a discussion guide respectively. They were voice recorded. Verbal informed consent was taken prior to data collection. The data was later transcribed into English, and analysed thematically using N-Vivo software.
Result: The findings suggested that lack of access to toilets for women led to absence of privacy, exposure to teasing and harassment, suspicion by family members and humiliation in public. The women reported that these issues induced feelings of fear and distress, reduced sleep, reduced intake of food, lower self confidence, confused state of mind and constant worry about the future. The feeling of being worthlessness and thoughts of suicide were also pointed out. It was identified that the key causes of not building toilets are associated with economic and cultural factors and patriarchal nature of decision-making.
Conclusion: Access to sanitation is one of the determinants of mental health among women. While efforts such as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan aim to provide toilets for every household, there needs to be greater monitoring and speedy implementation of the project, along with necessary behavioral change interventions at community level.
Method:
A qualitative design was used for this exploratory study based in Bhawal village, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. Fifteen interviews (six men, four women, one senior citizen, two children, one block officer and one district coordinator) and four focus group discussions (one each with youth, village health and sanitation committee, self-help group and local activists) were conducted using discussion guides. The interviews and discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was done using MS Word and NVivo.
Results:
The main issues identified were the lack of awareness about the health impacts of open defecation, preference for open environment, water scarcity, lack of interest towards sanitation by local self government, poor fund management, non-availability of construction materials, poverty, corruption, poor construction quality and poor monitoring of sanitation programme.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
Efforts in 2009 under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to improve sanitation were focused towards construction of toilets but not towards empowering the community to adopt toilets. Also, poor implementation of sanitation programme is comparable with similar status of other governmental services, such as the health system. In addition, cultural factors played a role (Bhawal is a Gond tribal village). Several experiences from across the world have shown that construction of toilets alone is inadequate to prevent open defecation. There is a need for concomitant strengthening of local water management and behavioural change through community led approaches keeping rights and responsibilities in mind.
Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in five villages and two slums of Hospet taluka, Bellary District, Karnataka between April and May 2014. Twenty five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with women using a semi-structured tool and a discussion guide respectively. They were voice recorded. Verbal informed consent was taken prior to data collection. The data was later transcribed into English, and analysed thematically using N-Vivo software.
Result: The findings suggested that lack of access to toilets for women led to absence of privacy, exposure to teasing and harassment, suspicion by family members and humiliation in public. The women reported that these issues induced feelings of fear and distress, reduced sleep, reduced intake of food, lower self confidence, confused state of mind and constant worry about the future. The feeling of being worthlessness and thoughts of suicide were also pointed out. It was identified that the key causes of not building toilets are associated with economic and cultural factors and patriarchal nature of decision-making.
Conclusion: Access to sanitation is one of the determinants of mental health among women. While efforts such as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan aim to provide toilets for every household, there needs to be greater monitoring and speedy implementation of the project, along with necessary behavioral change interventions at community level.