Promoting Health and Well-being of Institutionalized Destitute Females: A Study from Thar Region of India

Abstract

Abstract Context/Background: Destitute females are largely neglected by society and lead a miserable life, subject to mental and physical abuse. The study was planned to assess the basic health needs of females living in a destitute home and develop a model information, education, and communication (IEC) tool kit package for the specific needs to facilitate better mental and physical well-being. Aims/Objectives: This study aims to develop a model IEC toolkit package for specific health needs of females living in destitute homes. Methodology: A multiphasic mixed-methods study was conducted at the destitute home of Jodhpur. Females living in the facility were interviewed to assess their basic health needs and an IEC model toolkit was prepared for health promotion. The toolkit was implemented and feedback was taken to refine the final model toolkit. Results: All 31 females were included in the study after due consent. The mean age was 31 years (standard deviation = 7.6) and majority (10; 32.3%) were literate with no formal education. Through interviews, priority health needs were derived as mental health, menstrual hygiene, and general hygiene. Interventions designed were yoga, recreation, laughter club and anger coping skills for mental health, visual aids, role plays, and posters for menstrual and general hygiene. The final model was designed specifically for literacy levels using feedback from stakeholders. Conclusions: The developed model was received with enthusiasm by participants and implementers. It was deemed to lessen their burden in a long run, ensuring sustainability. Such model is easily implementable and could be replicated by other destitute homes for health promotion amongst destitute females.