North Indian City Research Articles

Conceptualizing In-Text “Kshetra”: Postcolonial Allahabad’s Cultural Geography in Neelum Saran Gour’s Allahabad Aria and Invisible Ink

Literary renditions of cities have always gravitated towards the spatial imagination and its ethical counterpart outside the textual space. This paper explores the multicultural geography of the North Indian city Allahabad (recently renamed Prayagraj) observed through Neelum Saran Gour’s postcolonial narratives Allahabad Aria and Invisible Ink, projecting the narrative alignment of spatial aesthetics and cultural ethics. Interrogating the spatial dimensions of a “narrative world” within narrative theory (Ryan) and its interdisciplinary crossover with cultural geography (Sauer; Mitchell; Anderson et al.), the article seeks to examine Gour’s literary city not simply as an objective homogeneous representation, but as a “kshetra” of spatio-cultural cosmos of lived traditions, memories, experiences and collective attitudes of its people, in the context of E. V. Ramakrishnan’s theoretical reflections. The article proposes new possibilities of adapting the Indian concept “kshetra” to spatial literary studies; its aim is also to suggest a new source of knowledge about the city of Allahabad through a community introspection of “doing culture” in the texts, bringing into view people’s shared experiences, beliefs, religious practices and traditions as offshoots of the postcolonial ethos. The article aims to re-contextualize the city’s longstanding multicultural ethics in the contemporary times of crisis, which may affect a shift in the city’s relevance: from regional concern to large-scale significance within ethnically diverse South Asian countries and beyond.

Generation of normative data on serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in healthy school children of a north indian city

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Age- gender- and tanner stage-specific reference intervals for serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to IGFBP-3 molar ratios in healthy school children of a north indian city

Age- gender- and tanner stage-specific reference intervals for serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to IGFBP-3 molar ratios in healthy school children of a north indian city

Together with God: Lived Religion among Women in Middle-Class Pentecostal Churches in India

Indian Pentecostalism has been considered a religion of the poor and low caste since its inception in the beginning of the twentieth century. However, over recent decades, middle-class Pentecostalism has established itself as an integral part of the Indian Pentecostal movement. Proceeding from a lived religion perspective, this article explores how women in middle-class churches express and practice their religion in their everyday lives. More precisely, it focuses on four defining features of the women’s lived religion (following God’s plan, tending to the relationship with God, overcoming everyday challenges, and transforming the self). An argument that will run through the article is that the women’s way of “doing religion” is contingent upon what they experience as the actions of God, an agentic interplay that I conceptualize as “collateral agency”. The study is based on six-month-long fieldwork in the North Indian city Gururgam, including, among other things, interviews with 30 women in two middle-class Pentecostal churches.

Spectrum of lesions of head and neck in a medical college of North India

Head and neck lesions especially oral cancers and pre-cancerous lesions have a high prevalence in India, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh pertaining to use of Pan masala, smokeless tobacco and zarda in the population. The lesions are common in patients of all age groups.This histopathology based study was conducted for the assessment of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of head and neck in the region around North Indian city of Lucknow.This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, T S Misra Medical college and Hospital, Amausi, Lucknow. The head and neck cases for time period of two years and eight months were retrieved from the histopathologic section of department. Thorough analysis of these specimens was done and data was compiled based on histomorphological diagnosis and other parameters like site of lesion, sex and age group.Study was done for 189 biopsies from head and neck region. Peak incidence of case was seen in 21-50 years age group, in the overall age range 3 to 86 years of our study. Male outnumbered female by ratio of 1.77:1. 63 cases of the study were inflammatory, 40 cystic, 46 benign, 14 dysplastic and rest 26 cases were malignant. Commonest malignant lesion was Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.It was noteworthy that precancerous and malignant lesions of oral cavity constitute a high percentage of head and neck lesions for the present cohort of referral patients.

Needle Fear among Children during Mass Measles Rubella (MR) Injectable Vaccination Campaign in North India: an Observational Study.

The cross-sectional observational study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of needle-fear among school-going children during mass Measles-Rubella (MR) immunization campaign (year 2017) in the north Indian city of Chandigarh. Fear of needle was assessed using a single-item self-report global question, anxiety was assessed using the Likert scale (score 1–5) and the standardized “Children Faces Scale” where facial responses were graded from 0 to 4. Out of a total sample of 2568 school children, 1225 (47.7%) reported needle fear (95% CI: 45.8%–49.6%) on a global single item assessment. On an anxiety related Likert scale, 52.3% did not respond (mainly younger children) and among those who responded, 42.6% (523/1226) showed significant anxiety (score of ≥3 on Likert scale of 1 to 5). Finally, 17.4% children (95% CI: 15.9%–18.9%) (n = 446/2568) scored 2 or above (indicating significant needle fear) on the ‘Children Faces Scale’ during the actual vaccination procedure. The needle fear were significantly increased among girl students as compared to boys (adjusted OR 2.58; 95% CI: 2.05–3.24, p < 0.001) as well as children accompanied by their parents (adjusted OR 2.05; 95% CI:1.57–2.69, p < 0.001). On the other hand, needle fear was significantly lowered in children studying in private schools as compared to public school children (adjusted OR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.28–0.74, p = 0.002). The needle fear, which was an overriding concern in the minds of girls, children accompanied by their parents, and public-school students, must be proactively addressed for successful mass vaccination campaigns. These findings assume further importance with recent international roll out of COVID 19 vaccine.

Invigorating and Reinventing Sacred Space: Hijra and Non-Hijra Relationships in a Dargah

The article juxtaposes the lived realities and perceptions of a hijra gharana connected to a dargah (shrine of a revered religious figure belonging to the Sufi tradition) in a North Indian city, Narayanpura. It addresses how a hijra community interacts and develops interpersonal relationships with their non-hijra neighbours, devotees and shopkeepers, thereby engendering hijra selfhood. The potent element of symbolism enunciated through mythology, rituals and festivals becomes pertinent in constructing and authenticating the hijra identity. Concomitantly, the spiritual pursuits of these groups are intertwined with their material interests in constructing their complex universe. The monument provides a site where shared connotations for each section of people connected to the dargah, hailing from different cultural, religious and gender orientations, are invigorated. The dargah is, therefore, not only part of the religious system, but it is a system in itself. Data for this article have been accumulated through limited participant observation, unobstructed conversations and narratives of the interlocutors.

School Bullying and Association with Somatic Complaints in Victimized Children

To examine the relationship between peer victimization and psychosomatic symptoms among school-going children. A total of 213 school-going children (Mean = 11.49 y, SD = 1.44) studying in grades 5 to 8 were recruited from 2 schools from a north Indian city. The children were administered the California Bullying Victimization Scale (CBVS), Pre-Adolescent Adjustment Scale (PAAS), and the Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI). The total score on the somatization inventory and the total number of psychosomatic symptoms endorsed were used as the main outcome measures. Out of the 213 students, 42.7% were involved in bullying either as victims or as perpetrators. A little more than one-fourth (26.8%) were victims. A consistent positive association between victimization and somatic complaints was found. The most common physical symptoms reported by victims included headache (60.7%), chest pain (35.7%), stomach pain (33.9%), weakness (30.4%), and pain in arms and legs (19.6%). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that 22.6% of the variance in the total CSI scores was accounted by the total victimization score, self-reported adjustment with school teachers, and academic performance (F = 20.97, P = 0.0001). The total number of functional somatic symptoms were predicted by the total victimization score, academic performance, and age of the child (F = 16.03, P = 0.0001). These variables together predicted 18% of the variance in the total number of symptoms. Primary health care clinicians and pediatricians need to consider bullying as one of the potential risk factors when they encounter physical symptoms among pediatric patients in their clinical practice.

‘Lean on me': Sifarish, mediation &amp; the digitisation of state bureaucracies in India

Through an ethnographic focus on Muslim neighbourhoods in a North Indian city, this article traces the effects of increasing digitisation of Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and ID provision in India by examining the implications for relations between the state, low-level political actors and local populaces. The article explores the practice of sifarish (leaning on someone to get something done) which, it is argued, cannot be seen within simplistic rubrics of ‘corruption’ but instead comprises a socially embedded ethical continuum. With one of the stated aims of digitisation being the displacing of informal mediation, the ethnographic material illuminates the efforts of low-level political actors to navigate emerging digital infrastructures. Digitisation, however, does not end mediation and carries with it ideological, political and economic interests. This, the article argues, enables state/people spaces of mediation to be commodified and marketized and further cements processes of marginalisation experienced by India’s Muslim minority.

Prevalence of abdominal obesity in non-obese adolescents: a North Indian adolescent study.

Context Childhood obesity is defined based on body mass index (BMI) criteria. Asian adults have more abdominal adiposity as compared to Western people for an equivalent BMI. Similarly, children who are non-obese/overweight by BMI criteria may have abdominal obesity. It is important to identify and target this population to reduce future cardiovascular risk. Objective To evaluate and inter-relate the prevalence of obesity subtypes (generalized and abdominal) in school going adolescents. Methods A randomized cross-sectional community based study was conducted, which was carried out in 13 schools of Chandigarh, a North Indian city. 10,037 school going adolescents of age 10-18 years were evaluated. Results The prevalence of overweight and generalized obesity in present study was 9.3 and 4.9% respectively. Generalized obesity was observed in 4.2% of males and 5.7% of females (p-Value=0.001). The abdominal obesity was noted in 5.4% of children and its prevalence increased progressively with age. The prevalence was highest in 16-18 years age-group (7.6%, p<0.001). 39.3% of abdominally obese subjects were not obese by BMI criteria, while prevalence of abdominal obesity in nonobese adolescents was 2.24%. It was more prevalent in females (3.7%) than males (3%, p=0.025). Prevalence of obesity was 7.9 and 1.8% in private and government schools respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions Abdominal obesity is more prevalent than generalized obesity and shows increasing trend with age. Interestingly, over one third of centrally obese adolescents are not obese by BMI criteria. This underlines the importance of waist circumference measurement in addition to BMI while assessing obesity.

Factors influencing HIV testing uptake among priority populations in a resettlement colony of a North Indian city

Background: The recent adoption of HIV ‘test and treat’ strategy by India’s National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) necessitates an urgent need to improve HIV testing among priority populations at risk for HIV. Aim &amp; Objectives: To identify barriers to and facilitators of HIV testing among priority populations such as pregnant women, tuberculosis patients, sexual partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations; and to examine the role of new HIV testing modalities (e.g., non-invasive HIV testing) in improving HIV testing. Settings and Design: A cross sectional survey was conducted among priority populations in a resettlement colony of Chandigarh, North India. Materials and methods: A total of 160 participants were recruited using non-probability-based sampling. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess differences between priority populations who had been tested or not tested for HIV. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify significant predictors of HIV testing status. Results: Participants with higher HIV knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] =1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5) and family support (aOR=8.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 35.3) had higher odds of getting tested for HIV. Major barriers identified were fear of anticipated discrimination and previous bad experiences in government HIV testing centres, and key facilitators were empathetic attitude of the staff and government initiatives (e.g., free-of-cost tests, reimbursements of travel costs). For periodic testing, priority populations preferred non-invasive (non-blood-based) HIV tests. Conclusions: Interventions to promote HIV testing among priority populations need to reduce HIV-related stigma, and offer non-invasive HIV testing in public hospitals.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Hepatitis B Infection Among Health-Care Professionals in A North Indian City

Introduction: Hepatitis B is an infection which occurs frequently worldwide. Hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus and is etiologically related to family Hepadnaviridae.Most of the cases of Hepatitis B virus infection do not have any symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected due to which there is silent spread of the infection which later causes serious liver disease. Incidence of the Hepatitis B virus infection among health-care professionals has been estimated to be 2–4 times more as compared to the general population.Aims: to assess the knowledge and attitude towards Hepatitis B infection among medical, dental, and nursing students in Bareilly city.Settings and Design: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the medical and nursing students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital and dental students of Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly.Method and Materials: A self-reported questionnaire was distributed among all the students of the study who were present at the day.Statistical analysis used: p-value was calculated using Kruskal Walli’s ANOVA test. A p-value of 0.05 or less was used as cut off level for statistical significance.Results: Total 222 students were selected out of which 60 were medical, 60 were dental and 102 were nursing. In our study medical students had better knowledge, attitude towards Hepatitis B infection than dental and nursing students.Conclusions: None of the students of medical, dental, and nursing were fully aware on all aspects of Hepatitis B Virus infection and the vaccination status was found to be unsatisfactory which increased the risk to acquire Hepatitis B infection.

Between unemployment and enterprise in neoliberal India: Educated youth creating work in the private education sector

This paper draws on ethnographic material to analyse how unemployed youth create work in the private educational sector. It shows how a set of educated young men, who moved from rural areas to a north Indian city to find work, are seeking to create jobs after an extended period of unemployment. Having attended coaching clinics and private tuition centres to prepare for white‐collar jobs, they draw on the experience, knowledge, and skills they have gained to create work in those same institutions. They do so by running errands and creating services for institutions, as well as undertaking administrative duties and teaching classes. Our main argument is that young men creatively engage with notions of enterprise to make an income and acquire a measure of respect. Studies of enterprise culture and neoliberal subjectivity formation often emphasise how individuals shore up their own value by competing with others and promoting their own interests. But we highlight how youth also maintain their value by making sense of their strategies in terms of assisting other young people. At the same time, however, their practises work to reproduce gender norms and class inequalities.

Effectiveness of information technology-enabled 'SMART Eating' health promotion intervention: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundUnhealthy dietary behaviour–high intake of fat, sugar, and salt, and low intake of fruits and vegetables–is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. There is a lack of evidence-based interventions to promote healthy dietary intake among Indian populations. Therefore, we tested the effectiveness of an information technology-enabled ‘SMART Eating’ intervention to reduce the intake of fat, sugar and salt, and to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.MethodsIn Chandigarh, a North Indian city, a cluster randomized controlled trial was implemented in twelve geographical clusters, based on the type of housing (i.e., LIG: Low-income group; MIG; Middle-income group, and HIG: High-income group–a proxy for socio-economic status). Computer-generated randomization was used to allocate clusters to intervention and comparison arms after pairing on the basis of socioeconomic status and geographical distance between clusters. The sample size was 366 families per arm (N = 732). One adult per family was randomly selected as an index case to measure the change in the outcomes. For behaviour change, a multi-channel communication approach was used, which included information technology–short message service (SMS), email, social networking app and ‘SMART Eating’ website, and interpersonal communication along with distribution of a ‘SMART Eating’ kit—kitchen calendar, dining table mat, and measuring spoons. The intervention was implemented at the family level over a period of six months. The comparison group received pamphlets on nutrition education. Outcome measurements were made at 0 and 6 months post-intervention at the individual level. Primary outcomes were changes in mean dietary intakes of fat, sugar, salt, and fruit and vegetables. Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and serum lipids. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to determine the net change in the outcomes in the intervention group relative to the comparison group.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 53 years, a majority were women (76%), most were married (90%) and 51% had completed a college degree. All families had mobile phones, and more than 90% of these families had access to Internet through mobile phones. The intervention group had significant net mean changes of -12.5 g/day (p<0.001), -11.4 g/day (p<0.001), -0.5 g/day (p<0.001), and +71.6 g/day (p<0.001) in the intake of fat, sugar, salt, and fruit and vegetables, respectively. Similarly, significant net changes occurred for secondary outcomes: BMI -0.25 kg/m2, diastolic blood pressure -2.77 mm Hg, FPG -5.7 mg/dl, and triglycerides -24.2mg/dl. The intervention had no effect on haemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.ConclusionThe IT-enabled ‘SMART Eating’ intervention was found to be effective in reducing fat, sugar, and salt intake, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among urban adults from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2016/11/007457.

Dental age estimation using Willems method: A cross-sectional study on children in a North Indian city

Background:Numerous methods of age estimation have been proposed. The Demirjian method which was first applied in a French-Canadian population in 1972 is the most frequently used dental age estimation method. However, a constant over estimation using this method has been reported by numerous researchers. The Willems method is a modification of the above and was first applied in a Belgian Caucasian population in 2002. Several studies in the recent years found Willems method to be more accurate than the original Demirjians method.Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of Willems method for dental age estimation in 6 -15-year-old North Indian children.Methods:The sample for this cross sectional study consisted of 390 OPGs of (215 boys and 175 girls) randomly selected from the patient records of a post graduate training dental college in North India. Exact chronological age of the subjects (in years and months) was calculated. The OPGs were used to score the seven mandibular teeth and dental age was estimated using the tables proposed in Willems method.Results:Significant correlation between the chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method was observed in both males (r = 0.90) and females (r = 0.87). The mean difference between estimated DA and CA for males was 0.004 ± 1.08 years (P = 0.94). While for females, it was 0.031 ± 1.18 years (P = 0.72). The results showed no statistically significant difference between chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method in the study population.Conclusion:Willems dental age estimation method without any modification can predict the chronological age of 6-15 year old North Indian children with good accuracy.

Prevalence and correlates of bullying perpetration and victimization among school-going adolescents in Chandigarh, North India

Objectives:Bullying among adolescents is one of the important but neglected health concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of bullying among Indian adolescents.Study Design:This was a cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:The prevalence of self-reported involvement in any kind of bullying was assessed among sixth to tenth class students (n = 667, mean age 13 years), across government (n = 359) and private (n = 308) schools using Olweus Bully-Victim Questionnaire in Chandigarh, a North Indian union territory. Self-esteem and emotional and behavioral difficulties of the participants were measured by using standard Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of bullying.Results:Prevalence of any kind of bullying was 25.6% (16% victimization, 5.2% perpetration, and 4.3% being bully-victim). Verbal bullying was the most common (55.1%), followed by physical (32.7%) and relational (25.2%) bullying. The prevalence of cyberbullying was 2.7%. Around 44% of students reported that adults in school never did anything to stop bullying. Bully-victims had the highest mean difficulty score (16.07). Significant predictors of bullying were being male (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5 [1.5–4.2], P < 0.001); studying in government school (OR = 0.63 [0.41–0.99], P = 0.048); having abnormal emotions (OR = 2.24 [1.1–4.7], P = 0.035); and poor peer relations (OR = 2.77 [1.44–5.35], P = 0.002).Conclusions:One in four adolescents experience some form of bullying in schools in a North Indian city. Bullying perpetration and victimization is associated with gender, type of school, and abnormal difficulties (emotional and behavioral problems).

Maternal knowledge and attitude about the relationship of periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes in India

Background: Pregnancy is not a disease, but a normal physiological process; still it is associated with certain risk to the health and survival of both the mother and the child. Oral health is an essential component of the overall health status of a pregnant woman. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude about the association between periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in Modinagar, North India. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted, which comprised of pregnant women visiting for Antenatal checkup at a public health care (Community Health Care) system in Modinagar, a North Indian city. A self-administered validated questionnaire in local language (Hindi) was used. This 30-item closed ended questionnaire consisted of different domains of oral hygiene practices, importance of periodontitis obstetric outcomes and demographic information. A 5 – point Likert scale was used to assess the attitudes of pregnant women. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Mean, Standard deviation, and Independent t-test were used to compare the knowledge and attitude about the association of maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes between the two groups of women: Prima gravida and Multi gravida. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Two hundred pregnant women participated in the study (50% each of Prima gravida and Multi gravida). The mean age of participants was found to be 32.88 ± 0.86 years. Most of the study population had poor knowledge (33%) and attitude (18.4%) about the association between maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes. For knowledge, a mean difference of 0.23 (P ≤ 0.05) between the two groups, which was found to be significant regarding whether visiting a dentist during pregnancy is necessary. First time pregnant (Prima gravida) has less knowledge compared with Multi gravida women regarding poor oral health which can lead to any complications during pregnancy. Conclusions: There is a knowledge deficit about pregnancy-induced periodontitis symptoms, prevention of complications and about the impact of obstetric outcomes among the mothers. Health-care providers should implement the focused health education programs during antenatal visit.

Study of behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among adults in north Indian city population: Retrospective study

Study of behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among adults in north Indian city population: Retrospective study

‘Performed Conviviality’: Space, bordering, and silence in the city

AbstractThrough ethnographic material gathered in the Muslim woodworking mohallas (neighbourhoods) of a North Indian city, this article attends to ‘performed’ elements of everyday convivial interactions. It builds on work that situates conviviality as a normative project aimed at understanding and fostering interaction within urban space which bridges forms of difference. Through descriptive accounts, the article illustrates how convivial exchanges can embody degrees of instrumentality and conceal relations of power and marginalization that act to silence outrage or contestation. This ‘performed conviviality’ is dealt with in a broader context of ‘scale’ to consider how marginalization and connectedness—the marginal hub—intersect in even the most mundane moments of convivial exchange. By tracing processes of marginalization, boundary making, and bordering within the local, city-wide, state, and international contexts, the article follows the production of a marginalized or ‘border’ subjectivity through to the individual level. The subjectivities produced in this context act to enforce degrees of self-imposed silence among those subjected to processes of marginalization. In addition—and again attending to scale through an acknowledgement of the connected nature of the mohallas—the article also considers the role of conviviality in global chains of supply through the creation and maintenance of bonds and obligations that facilitate production in the city's wood industry.

Hydro-chemistry of groundwater in a North Indian city and its suitability assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes

Hydro-chemistry of groundwater in a North Indian city and its suitability assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes