Sustainability Failures of Rural Telecenters: Challenges from the Sustainable Access in Rural India (SARI) Project

Prevalence and trends of the diabetes epidemic in urban and rural India: A pooled systematic review and meta-analysis of 1.7 million adults

Inclusive Development through E-Governance: Political Economy of E-Government Projects in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala in India

BackgroundExclusive use of hygienic methods (sanitary napkins, locally prepared napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups) to prevent the visibility of bloodstains during menstruation is still considerably low among adolescent women in rural India. However, no prior research has explored the prevalence and determinants of exclusive hygienic methods among rural Indian adolescent women. To address this gap, this study examines the factors affecting adolescent women’s exclusive use of hygienic methods in rural India. Additionally, this study explores state- and district-level geographical disparities in the exclusive use of hygienic methods among adolescent women in rural India.MethodsInformation on 95,551 adolescent women from rural India from the latest round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) was analyzed. Bivariate statistics and multilevel logistic regression analysis were used to assess the Individual- and community-level factors associated with exclusive use of hygienic methods among adolescent women in rural India. Choropleth maps were used to discern the geographical disparities in the exclusive use of hygienic methods.ResultsIn rural India, only 42% of adolescent women exclusively used hygienic methods, with substantial geographic disparities at the state and district levels. At the state level, the exclusive use of hygienic methods varied from 23% in Uttar Pradesh to 85% in Tamil Nadu. Even greater variation was observed at the district level. There was a clear north-south divide in the exclusive use of hygienic methods among adolescent women in rural India. The results of multilevel logistic regression indicated a considerable amount of variation in the exclusive use of hygienic methods at community level which further reduced when controlled for individual and community-level factors. Rural Indian adolescent women with higher education (AOR:3.20, 95% CI: 2.81–3.64), from general category (AOR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07–1.21), with medium mass media exposure (AOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.35–1.51), and from richest wealth quintile (AOR: 3.98, 95% CI: 3.69–4.30) were more likely to use hygienic methods exclusively.ConclusionWide differential across biodemographic and socioeconomic groups, and substantial geographic disparities at state- and district-level in the exclusive use of hygienic methods suggests a need to adopt context-specific interventions for adolescent women in rural India. Distribution of subsidized or free menstrual hygiene methods to disadvantaged adolescent women, and in the low-prevalence districts may increase the level of exclusive use of hygienic methods remarkably.

In a study of social diffusion of telecenter use in rural south India, we find that these centers are being used only by a relatively small proportion of the village households despite their having been in operation for well over a year. Based on a survey of the telecenter users, we find that these users are, in general, young, male, school or college students, relatively more educated, belong to relatively higher income households, and come from socially and economically advanced communities. Thus the telecenters may sustain existing socioeconomic inequalities within these communities. However, we find some significant exceptions. We find that location of telecenters close to the residential localities where socially and economically backward communities live and presence of local champions within those communities are associated with attracting more users from those communities. We also find that providing localized content and services and making these services more affordable are other important factors in increasing usage and diffusion. We posit that incorporating these factors in the planning, spatial location, and operation of the telecenters can significantly improve their social diffusion and improve their long-term financial and social sustainability.

The use of information and communication technologies at higher education institutions is no longer an option, but rather a need. Information Technology support is an essential factor that entails giving end users assistance with hardware and software components. Technical support for information technology has been recognized as a crucial element linked to student satisfaction because it helps students understand, access, and use technology efficiently. IT technical support services are essential for higher education students to succeed in their studies. However, the quality of IT technical support services can vary widely from institution to institution. Student satisfaction with IT technical support services is an important measure of the quality of education that students receive. Conversely, evaluating student satisfaction is a complex task, as it involves subjective assessments of service quality. This dissertation used a framework that combines three approaches: Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Service Quality (SERVQUAL), and Fuzzy TOPSIS. The successful implementation of IT technical support is aided by identifying the essential success criteria that enable efficient and effective support for students and instructors. Hence the main aim of this study is to identify and rank the key success factors for the successful implementation of IT technical support at higher education institutes. 81 key success factors identified from 100 research papers were analyzed using principal component analysis. The findings led to the identification and ranking of 25 PCs. From these findings, the SERVQUAL dimensions that featured at the top-most rankings were selected, and that being: tangibility, reliability, assurance, empathy, and responsiveness. These factors were used in the development of the questionnaire that was sent to students which measured student perceptions of the five dimensions of service quality. The proposed approach is implemented in a higher education institution in South Africa. The questionnaires were administered to a specific target of students, only those student participants’ who had contacted the IT technical team for IT technical support via the WhatsApp service communication method formed part of the study. Once data was collected, SERVQUAL which is a well-established scale for measuring service quality was used to calculate the average score for each dimension of service quality. The dimensions of service quality where students were most and least satisfied were identified. Finally, Fuzzy TOPSIS, which is a multi-criteria decisionmaking (MCDM) method that handles uncertainty and vagueness in data was used to rank the IT technical support services based on student satisfaction. The SERVQUAL results showed that the overall satisfaction level of students with IT technical support services led to a final score of 60 percent, meaning that the support services rendered were acceptable to students. The Fuzzy TOPSIS rankings identified the sub-criteria, overall being satisfied with the support services rendered as rank number one. As can be deduced that since both the SERVQUAL and Fuzzy TOPSIS methods have nominated satisfaction level as the common factor, this research indicates that the IT technical support services rendered by the IT technical support team are adequately sufficient and that the needs of the students are met and that the services rendered are highly appreciated by the students at the Durban University of Technology. This research proves that the IT support team is compliant with the quality of IT technical support services rendered to students at the Durban University of Technology however, the IT support service can be improved by the proactiveness of the technical team. This research contributes by providing useful information highlighting factors that can be used to examine areas in educational institutions that need to receive continuous and special care to generate high student satisfaction; ensure future success and gain a competitive advantage. These factors can assist the management of HEI in determining the success or failure of an institution in terms of the technical support provided to students and student satisfaction. The results of this evaluation can be used by other HEIs to improve the quality of IT technical support services and to ensure that they are meeting the needs of students.

Mental health practice in private primary care In rural India: a survey of practitioners

Traditional fuels including firewood, charcoal, or kerosene still remains a primary cooking fuel in rural India and the health impacts of such exposures in relation to T2D are not fully understood. Hence, this study investigates the association between traditional fuel use and prevalence of T2D in rural Tamil Nadu. Data were derived from the TREND study, a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted between 2018 and 2021 across 30 villages in Cheyyur Taluk, Tamil Nadu. A total of 13,877 adults aged ≥18 years with complete information on cooking fuel type and valid Oral Glucose Tolerance Test results were included. Participants were categorized as traditional fuel users (n = 13669) or clean fuel users(n = 208). Higher prevalence of T2D were observed among traditional fuel users (14.2% vs 12%; p < 0.001) and in the households who did not have a separate room for cooking (16.5% vs. 12.2%; p < 0.001) when compared to the clean fuel users and households with separate room for cooking. Traditional fuel use was associated with 80% higher odds of T2D among women (OR = 1.8; p < 0.05), independent of age, sex, family history, BMI, education and income. There is an urgent need for effective and sustained cleaner fuel adoption, improved kitchen ventilation in rural populations of India.

Many Rivers to Cross: Social Identity, Cognition and Labour Mobility in Rural India

Background: Functional status assessment in the elderly helps to improve quality of life and prognosticate chronic disease. Literature on the status of functional ability of the elderly in rural India is limited.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 164 rural elderly persons in eight villages from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, to assess the prevalence of poor functional status, mental and physical health.Elderly aged 60 and above were selected by systematic random sampling, from eight villages which were selected by simple random sampling from a single rural block. A semi structured questionnaire on disability, health status, activities of daily living and functional assessment (Katz Index), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale-5) and cognition (Dementia Assessment by Rapid Test) was administered.Results: Out of 164 participants, 6.7% (11, 95% CI: 2.8%-10.6%) had a dependent functional status. While 68.9% (n=113) reported a chronic condition, 21.9% (n=36) reported multiple comorbidities and 37.2% (n=61) screened positive for depression. All those with a dependent functional status had a chronic condition. Female gender (OR: 8.33, 95% CI: 1.04-100.00), living alone (OR: 11.60, 95% CI: 1.58-85.34) and depression (OR: 11.29, 95% CI: 2.00-63.70) were found to be significantly associated with dependent functional status.Conclusions: Although majority of the community dwelling rural elderly had normal functional status, given the high burden of chronic diseases, it is important to routinely assess functional status to identify elderly at risk of disabilities.

To investigate the relationship between pregnancy intendedness and utilization of recommended prenatal care for mothers and vaccinations for children against six vaccine preventable diseases in rural India using a prospective dataset. To examine the association between pregnancy intention and neonatal and infant mortality in rural India. The study is based upon a prospective follow-up survey of a cohort selected from the National Family Health Survey 1998-1999, carried out in 2002-2003 in rural areas of four Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Data for 2108 births for which pregnancy intendedness was assessed prospectively was analyzed using bivariate analysis, logistic regressions and discrete-time survival analysis. Mothers reporting unwanted births were 2.32 (95 % CI: 1.54-3.48) times as likely as mothers reporting wanted births to receive inadequate prenatal care. Moreover, unwanted births were 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.01-1.87) times as likely as wanted births to receive inadequate childhood vaccinations. Likewise, births that were identified as mistimed/unwanted had 83 % higher risk of neonatal mortality compared to wanted births. The association between pregnancy intendedness and infant mortality was only marginally significant. This is the first study of its kind which has investigated the relationship between prospectively assessed pregnancy intendedness and early childhood mortality in rural India. The study provides additional and more conclusive evidence that unwanted births are disadvantaged in terms of maternal and child health outcomes. Findings argue for enhanced focus on family planning to reduce the high prevalence of unintended pregnancy in rural India.

BackgroundThe established aim of the Saudi Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN) is to support the prevention and control of different health events, and to facilitate the delivery of other public health programs. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of active HESN users regarding its general performance through five major components: practicability, design, data and communication, technical support, and general impression.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 using a sample of active HESN users. Out of 1535 active users, 700 were randomly selected. A predesigned electronic questionnaire was sent to each participant via email which was completed by 485 participants. Different composite scores were calculated and compared to the sociodemographic and other technical variables.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 36.92 ± 9.12 (24–65 years), and 57.8% of the sample were male. Riyadh and the KSA’s eastern province represented the highest two regions of participation, at (18.4%) and (14.2%) participants, respectively. About 70.8% were generally satisfied with HESN, while 86.6%% believed that it is better than the traditional paper-work system. Participants who used to work more frequently expressed more level of satisfaction compared to those with minimal use per week or month (P ≤ 0.001). Internet speed displayed a significant association with the general level of satisfaction with HESN (P < 0.001). Additionally, users who accessed HESN with the Google Chrome browser displayed higher levels of satisfaction when compared to users who relied on other browsers (P = 0.003).ConclusionPresently, the level of user satisfaction with HESN is reasonable. However, to achieve optimal outcomes for HESN usage, improvements should be considered.

Teaching is one of the most important profession in which the faculties play a major role in improving the standard of an organization and the country. It is important to determine which factors influence the faculties in their job and it's important to determine their level of job satisfaction. This study examined the influence of gender on job satisfaction among faculties of private colleges and investigated the extent to which faculties differ in various attitudes and attributes, level of satisfaction with the type of work they do. Stratified random samples of 215 academic faculties from private colleges in India were selected for this study. Findings indicate that differences between male and female faculties in the level of satisfaction were due to negative work experiences such as castism, favoritism, physical appearance, gender discrimination and due to certain source of stress from major life changes, unforeseen events and family social isolation. These negative experiences generated lower levels of job satisfaction among men than women and all these factors that might explain different job satisfaction among faculties at private colleges in India. The attributes that stood out as significant are namely: technical support at work, understanding teaching and research process and responsibilities, broadening role, belonging to an ageing group, need for more outcomes of the work. The paper recognizes the importance of gender differences in workplace and it should be controlled to improve the job satisfaction among faculties in private colleges.&nbsp

Addressing the Burden of Disease Attributable to Air Pollution in India: The Need to Integrate across Household and Ambient Air Pollution Exposures

Secular trends in height reported from developing countries are few and scarce. To assess secular trends in linear growth in boys and girls from birth to 18 years of life in rural households of India based on periodical cross-sectional surveys conducted over a period of 35 years. The present study uses data from baseline and final surveys of National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau from 1975 to 1979 (N = 6043) to 2012 to 2013 (N = 11 910) on anthropometry from birth to 18 years from 7 states in households of rural India. The overall improvement in 18+ boys and girls was 3.1 and 1.0 cm, respectively, over a period of 35 years. The increments in height of 18+ were highest for both boys (7.4 cm) and girls (4.8 cm) in the state of Kerala followed by Tamil Nadu (boys, 7.3 cm and girls, 3.8 cm). Under-5 stunting rates reduced from 82% in the baseline survey to 45.7% in the final survey at 1.35% per year in the pooled states and was similar in both boys and girls. The recovery in stunting was highest in Tamil Nadu (1.63% per year) followed by Kerala (1.46% per year). The pattern of secular trends in height in rural India seen over 3 decades was strikingly similar to that of developed countries. The phenomenal improvement in linear growth in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in children younger than 5 years and adolescents suggests that growth potential for Indians is similar to that of developed countries.

Social exclusion is considered critical for understanding poverty, livelihoods, inequality and political participation in rural India. Studies show how exclusion is produced through relations of power associated with gender, caste, religion and ethnicity. Studies also document how people confront their exclusion. We use insights from these studies – alongside science and technology studies – and rely on life history narratives of ‘excluded’ people from rural Tamil Nadu, to develop a new approach to agency as constituted by two contrasting ways of relating: control and care. These ways of relating are at once social and material. They entangle humans with each other and with material worlds of nature and technology, while being mediated by structures such as social norms and cultural values. Relations of control play a central role in constituting exclusionary forms of agency. In contrast, relations of care are central to the agency of resistance against exclusion and of livelihood-building by the ‘excluded’. Relations can be transformed through agency in uncertain ways that are highly sensitive to trans-local contexts. We offer examples of policy-relevant questions that our approach can help to address for apprehending social exclusion in rural India and elsewhere.