Schools In Delhi Research Articles

Parental Psychological Control, Big Five Personality and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation among Adolescents

Introduction: The study aims to examine the big five personality (Dimensions) as a mediator between Parental Psychological Control (PPC) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DER). It was also researched that child characteristics moderate the effects of parenting outcomes. Method: Three hundred adolescents studying in different schools in Delhi were selected based on the random sampling technique. Three scales, namely Psychological Control Scale—Youth Self-Report (PCS-YSR), Big Five Inventory (BFI), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF) were administered. A dichotomous independent variable (named X1) was used in the research where PPC was divided into two groups 'Both High' group VS 'Others'. Results: Obtained scores were analyzed by using Parallel mediation analysis through PROCESS macro version 3.2.01 for SPSS created by Hayes in 2018. Results of the mediational analysis revealed that X1(Both High vs. Others) significantly predicted neuroticism, and X1, neuroticism, and openness significantly predicted DER. Total effect (c=3.78, p<.05) and direct effect (c=2.73, p<.05) were found to be significant. Indirect effects were obtained by the Bootstrapping method. Findings revealed a specific indirect effect of neuroticism to be significant (coeff. =.1075; LLCI-ULCI= .0077 to.2102). Conclusion: Neuroticism significantly mediates the relationship between emotion regulation and PPC. It is necessary to incorporate both individual and environmental factors to understand emotional development processes. It is therefore suggested to develop interventions that not only helps adolescents to learn effective ways to regulate emotions but to also guide parents to cater to the child's emotional needs effectually.

Ability of children to perform touchscreen gestures and follow prompting techniques when using mobile apps.

BackgroundChildren today get access to smartphones at an early age. However, their ability to use mobile apps has not yet been studied in detail.PurposeThis study aimed to assess the ability of children aged 2–8 years to perform touchscreen gestures and follow prompting techniques, i.e., ways apps provide instructions on how to use them.MethodsWe developed one mobile app to test the ability of children to perform various touchscreen gestures and another mobile app to test their ability to follow various prompting techniques. We used these apps in this study of 90 children in a kindergarten and a primary school in New Delhi in July 2019. We noted the touchscreen gestures that the children could perform and the most sophisticated prompting technique that they could follow.ResultsTwo- and 3-year-old children could not follow any prompting technique and only a minority (27%) could tap the touchscreen at an intended place. Four- to 6-year-old children could perform simple gestures like a tap and slide (57%) and follow instructions provided through animation (63%). Seven- and 8-year-old children could perform more sophisticated gestures like dragging and dropping (30%) and follow instructions provided in audio and video formats (34%). We observed a significant difference between the number of touchscreen gestures that the children could perform and the number of prompting techniques that they could follow (F=544.0407, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the performance of female versus male children (P>0.05).ConclusionChildren gradually learn to use mobile apps beginning at 2 years of age. They become comfortable performing single-finger gestures and following nontextual prompting techniques by 8 years of age. We recommend that these results be considered in the development of mobile apps for children.

Impact of Using Different Growth References on Interpretation of Anthropometric Parameters of Children Aged 8–15 Years

To compare the effect of the application of three growth references (Agarwal, 1992; Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), 2015; and World Health Organisation (WHO), 2007) on interpretation of anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren. Cross-sectional school-based study. Children 8-15 years studying in one government school and one private school of Delhi. The age- and gender-specific standard deviation scores of height-for-age and BMI-for-age were estimated for each student enrolled, using the three growth references independently. The proportion of children with short stature, thinness and overweight/ obesity determined by each growth reference were compared. A total of 1237 students participated in the study. A significantly higher proportion of children (both sexes) were classified to have short stature using WHO 2007 reference (8.8%) as compared to the Agarwal (3.3%) charts and IAP, 2015 references (3.6%). The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was highest (34.8%) by the IAP, 2015 reference as against 32% by Agarwal charts and 29.1% by WHO, 2007 reference. Good agreement existed between the IAP, 2015 reference and Agarwal charts in classifying subjects into different BMI categories (Kappa=0.82) and short stature (Kappa=0.99). In view of differences noted, use of national population derived reference data is suggested to correctly define growth trajectories in children.

Prevalence of hypertension among school going adolescent boys in Najafgarh, Delhi, India

Hypertension is a global epidemic. Hypertension has become an increasingly important medical problem in children and adolescents. Evidence shows that hypertension begins in childhood and its associated risk factors like obesity, unhealthy eating habits also emerge in children of school going age. To study the prevalence of hypertension among school going adolescent boys in Najafgarh, Delhi and to find out the factors associated with hypertension among them. A cross-sectional study was planned in which a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants. A total of 600 adolescent boys of 9th to 12th classes from four different schools in Delhi, were included in the study over a period of 12 months. Blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference were measured for all children. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 and for qualitative data analysis a chi-square (χ2) test was used. The mean age of study subjects was 15.1 years. The majority of the study subjects, 372 (62%), were in the age group of 14-16 years. Among the study subjects, 44 (7.3%) had pre-hypertension and 26 (4.3%) had hypertension. Hypertension was significantly higher in those with a family history of hypertension and who were overweight/obese. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly high among adolescents of Delhi. Obesity and family history of hypertension were identified as important risk factors prevalent in the study population.

Comparison of plasma adipocytokines & C-reactive protein levels in healthy schoolgoing adolescents from private & government-funded schools of Delhi, India.

Background & objectives:Obesity-mediated chronic inflammatory state is primarily governed by lifestyle and food habits in adolescents and marked by alterations in the level of various inflammatory markers. This cross-sectional study was aimed to compare the inflammatory status of healthy Indian adolescents vis-à-vis their obesity profile. The inflammatory state of urban adolescents attending private and government-funded schools, and the relationship between inflammatory marker levels and anthropometric indices in the study participants from both groups were examined.Methods:A total of 4438 study participants (10-17 yr) were chosen from various schools of Delhi, India, and their anthropometric parameters were measured. Plasma adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) of the study participants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assayed by a biochemical analyzer. Metabolic syndrome-related risk factors such as waist circumference, hip circumference (HC), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides of normal-weight adolescents were also evaluated.Results:The level of leptin and CRP increased with increasing adiposity, whereas adiponectin levels were found to be negatively related to obesity. All plasma cytokine levels (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) were significantly elevated in female than male adolescents. Age-based classification revealed a distinct trend of variability in the levels of all the inflammatory markers among adolescents of varying age groups. Significant differences were observed between private and government schoolgoing adolescents in terms of anthropometric and inflammatory parameters, with higher adiposity indices in the former group. The relationship of plasma adipokine and CRP levels with various adiposity indices was found to be distinctly different between private and government schoolgoing students.Interpretation & conclusions:Inflammatory markers were significantly elevated in overweight/obese adolescents. The socio-economic condition of urban Indian schoolgoing adolescents reflecting lifestyle transition has profound effects on their adiposity indices and inflammatory states. Longitudinal studies in different regions of the country need to be done to further confirm the findings.

Association of Quantity and Quality of Protein Intake with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Adolescent Boys and Girls (13-15 Years) Studying in Public Schools of Delhi.

Data on prevalence of mental health disorders indicates that 4.5% and 3% of the Indian population is suffering from depression and anxiety respectively. Research suggest that a poor quality diet (lacking in macro and micronutrients) may lead to deficiencies that are associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The present research was designed to study the prevalence & association of depression & anxiety with protein intake among adolescent boys and girls (aged 13-15 y) studying in public schools of Delhi. 546 adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study (selected from public schools in Delhi). For the assessment of depression and anxiety symptoms and dietary micronutrient deficiencies Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; administered to the parents) and 24 h recall and food frequency questionnaire (administered to the subjects) were used respectively. Adolescent Micronutrient Quality Index (AMQI) was further used to assess the protein quality of the diets. Prevalence of depression and anxiety were 33.5% and 27.47% respectively. Assessment of diets through AMQI revealed that low intake of protein rich foods like milk and legumes was significantly associated with higher mean scores of depression (p<0.001) and anxiety symptoms (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis for depression and anxiety symptoms, it was observed that males who were not consuming milk for breakfast had higher odds of getting depressed (OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.10-0.77; p=0.0177) and anxious (OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.10-0.77; p=0.0177) and females had higher odds of getting depressed (OR: NE; 95%CI: NE; p≤0.0177). This study highlights the association of mental health with quality and quantity of protein consumed by adolescents. It will also serve as a strategic tool for mental health prevention and management policies designed for adolescents. It also adds to the growing body of research in the area of nutritional psychiatry.

Assessment of dental caries prevalence among institutionalized visually impaired children in delhi state

Aim: To assess the prevalence of dental caries in visually impaired children and adults aged 6–25 years attending special schools in Delhi. Materials and Methods: A total of 1131 visually impaired individuals studying in various special care institutions in Delhi were examined. Extraoral as well as intraoral examinations were carried out and decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index and decayedextracted-filled teeth (deft) index were used. The relevant findings were entered in the proforma. Result: It was seen that of 285 students in the mixed dentition group, 77 individuals had dental caries constituting 27.02%; whereas in the other group, of 1131, 575 individuals presented with DMFT scores constituting 50.84%. On the whole, it was noted that 44.3% of the individuals were caries free in both the groups. Conclusion: The DMFT index showed a cumulative increase with age. As age advanced, the incidence increased. Dental caries prevalence was more in males as compared to females.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of Hindi Version of Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performance Index.

ABSTRACTIntroductionOral diseases may have an impact on quality of life (QoL) and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). As compared to clinical measures which are unable to provide a complete picture, OHRQoL indices quantify the oral health impact on overall health. Worldwide indices have been developed to measure the OHRQoL in children but none can be applicable in Indian context.AimThe aim of the study was cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of Hindi version of child oral impacts on daily performance (C-OIDP) index.Materials and methodsTranslation and back translation were done for index using prescribed guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. A pilot study was conducted in 32 children and required modifications were done. The final Hindi version was tested for reliability and validity on a convenience sample of 64 children aged 11–14 years selected from public schools in Delhi. The psychometric properties of the Hindi version were tested for face, content, construct validity along with internal consistency, and test–retest reliability.ResultsThe mean age of the final sample (n = 64) was 13.02 ± 0.93 years with boys (51.6%) and girls (48.4%). The mean C-OIDP score was 8.8 ± 7.8. Significant association was obtained when C-OIDP was compared with self-perceived oral health. Interitem correlation ranged from −0.008 to 0.45. Kappa for categories of child OIDP ranged from 0.711 to 1.00 and intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91.ConclusionThe Hindi version of C-OIDP is a valid and reliable tool to measure OHRQoL in Hindi-speaking children in India.How to cite this articleChahar P, Mohanty V, Balappanavar AY, et al. Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of Hindi Version of Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performance Index. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(2):124–129.

Developmental biology of dispersed pollen grains.

Professor Panchanan Maheshwari served as Professor and Head of the Department of Botany, University of Delhi, from 1950 to 1966 and built an internationally reputed School of integrated plant embryology. Studies carried out during and after Maheshwari's period from this School have enormously advanced our knowledge of the structural, developmental and functional aspects of embryological processes. This review covers studies carried out at the Delhi School on the developmental biology of dispersed pollen grains which operate from pollen dispersal from the anthers until pollen tubes discharge the male gametes in the embryo sac for fertilization. These events include pollen viability and vigour, pollen germination and pollen tube growth, structural details of the pistil relevant to pollen function, pollination and pollen-pistil interaction.

A school-based program for diabetes prevention and management in India – project KiDS and diabetes in schools

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe the conceptualization and implementation of project KiDS and diabetes in schools (KiDS) in Delhi, India. Objective: Project KiDS was implemented to foster a supportive school environment for optimal management and care of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) through the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Methods: Project KiDS was initiated with a feasibility study (Phase-1); including a situational analysis through desk review of preexisting epidemiological data, national policies/existing projects focused on diabetes prevention and management for Indian school settings and in-depth Interviews with multiple stakeholders. In Phase-2, the international diabetes federation's global school diabetes information pack was culturally and contextually adapted, pretested and finalized for use in India and implemented in eight private and seven government (public) schools (Grades 1–9) of Delhi, India. Components included: training of school staff, follow-up educational activities with students, and engaging parents through social media. Results: In Phase-1, nine interviews were conducted with representatives from the Government and nongovernment organizations. Almost all respondents and literature emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive awareness program for the management of T1D and the prevention of T2D in schools. 1149 teachers were trained. Follow-up activities were conducted with 27,937 children. Over 80% of teachers were satisfied with the trainings. Conclusion: Positive feedback from trainings and implementation of project KiDS has important implications to feed into future programmatic and policy interventions for robust school-based diabetes management and prevention.

Assessment of Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation with and without Health Education on Anemia in Adolescent Girls: A Comparative Study.

Background:Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world, affecting a large number of children and women in developing countries and constituting a public health condition of epidemic proportions. Weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFS) with health education has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing anemia in adolescent school going girls. We assessed the impact of WIFS with and without health education on anemia in adolescent school girls of Delhi.Methods:This is a school-based intervention study conducted in two government senior secondary schools of Delhi. A total of 210 adolescent school girls from two schools were included in the study. In one school (intervention group), weekly ironfolic acid with health education once a month was given, and in the second school (control group), only WIFS was given for 6 months. Iron–folic acid supplementation containing 100 mg of elemental iron and 0.5 mg of folic acid was given on a weekly basis, and health education was provided once a month for 6 consecutive months. Hemoglobin (Hb) estimation was done at the beginning and the end of the study using the Hemocue method. Mean Hb change after intervention between the control and experimental groups was compared using a t test. Pre and post differences within the control and experimental groups were assessed using a paired-t test.Results:After intervention, there was a significant decline in prevalence of anemia in both the intervention (54.7 percentage points decline) and the control (26 percentage points decline) groups (P < 0.001).Conclusions:WIFS with once a month health education can be effective in reducing the prevalence of anemia in adolescent school girls.

Early Educational Marginalization for Muslim Children in India: An Analysis of Nursery School Admission in Private Schools of Delhi, India

Early Educational Marginalization for Muslim Children in India: An Analysis of Nursery School Admission in Private Schools of Delhi, India

Correlates of Academic Achievement: A Study of Social Science Students

Aim: Present paper identifies the factors associated with the academic achievement of students in a social science subject. Factors studied in the present study associated with achievements were- Interest in studies, Reading ability, and critical thinking. Methods: A total of sixty students studying in class VII in Govt. Senior Secondary Schools of Delhi were selected randomly for the data collection. Interest Inventory by R P Singh (2010), Critical thinking scale prepared by C. G. Venkatesha Murthy (2014), Reading ability test, and achievement test prepared by researchers themselves were administered on the selected sample. Findings: This study reveals that academic achievement in social subjects, reading ability, and critical thinking are significantly and positively correlated with each other.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among school going adolescents in Delhi: a cross sectional study

Background: Adolescence is a stressful period due to physical, psychological, sexual changes and the presence of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress at this stage of life is a matter of concern. Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks. The objective of this study is to find the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among school going adolescents.Methods: This was a school based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the month of July 2018 in an urban school in New Delhi. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire to assess socio-demographic profile as well as depression anxiety stress scale (DASS)–21 was used to assess depression, stress and anxiety.Results: Overall prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 47.9%, 65.3%, and 51.8% respectively. Most of student suffered from moderate depression (46.8%), anxiety (33.3%) and mild stress (60.9%). It was noted that these were more common among female students, late adolescent age group, students alone/ away from family, students from separated/ single parents, consuming alcohol and family pressure to perform well in school.Conclusions: The alarming risk of depression, anxiety and stress among students with low academic satisfaction as well as those who face family pressure to perform better calls for need of parents-student counselling sessions, as well as frequent extracurricular activities to help create a healthier school environment.

Risk Assessment of Sulphite Exposure through Foods Among Adolescents of Delhi (India)

Background:Sulphites added as preservatives in food have been associated with adverse health effects in humans.Objective:The present study was designed with an objective of assessing the risk of sulphite exposure through food in adolescents (12-16 years old) of Delhi, India.Methods:A total of 1030 adolescents selected from four private and four government schools of Delhi, were asked to record their food intake using a 24 hour food record, repeated on three days, for assessing exposure to sulphites. The risk was assessed using six different scenarios of exposure.Results:The actual intake for sulphites for average consumers was 0.15 ± 0.13 mg / kg b.w. / day which was 21.4% of acceptable daily intake (ADI). For high consumers (P95), it was 65% of the ADI. However, for 2 respondents, the actual intake exceeded the ADI. The major food contributors to sulphite intake were beverage concentrates (46%), ready to serve beverages (22%) followed by miscellaneous food items (16%), mainly ice creams and snowballs. Estimation of sulphite intake using different exposure scenarios revealed that for certain scenarios where the highest reported sulphite level or maximum permissible levels were considered for calculation, the high consumers exceeded the ADI, though, for average consumers, intake was well below the ADI.Conclusion:Actual intake of sulphite for average consumers was well below the ADI but for high consumers was approaching the ADI. People with sulphite sensitivity need to be aware of hidden food sources of sulphites.

STATUS OF EXISTING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES IN DELHI SCHOOLS

15Oct 2019 STATUS OF EXISTING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES IN DELHI SCHOOLS. V.Gupta , S.Goel and T.G. Rupa. Research Scholar, Department of Resource Management & Design Application, University of Delhi, Delhi. Associate Professor, Department of Resource Management & Design Application, University of Delhi, Delhi. Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Management & Design Application, University of Delhi, Delhi.

From the Maistry to the Computer Operator: the Colonial Legacy of “Skilling India” through ICT Training

Abstract Under the Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi government, the largest state-run and supported network of skills training schools, the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), are slated to be the most important sites for transforming subaltern youth into appropriate global workers for the IT-ITES sectors. Based on historical, archival research and sustained, ethnographic work in industrial schools in New Delhi, I trace parallels between the colonial, skilled craftsman, or the “maistry,” in the nineteenth century to the contemporary computer operator in the twenty-first century through inextricable linkages between forms of governmentality, communication technologies, and labor formations. Colonial and contemporary industrial students are constructed as uncivilized and trained for subordinate positions despite the leveling promise of industrial schools. However, both groups critically interpret development messages in the context of their everyday lives in demanding an “education” versus “training,” and in holding the state responsible for their welfare. Historical and ethnographic research is vital to critically examine the promise of “Skilling India” for marginalized communities.

Children’s accounts of labelling and stigmatization in private schools in Delhi, India and the Right to Education Act

India’s Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 compels private schools to reserve a proportion of their seats for free for disadvantaged children. Although controversial, it is idealized as an equity measure for inclusion in and through education. This small-scale study, feeding into a larger research project, details children’s accounts of their everyday lived experiences at private schools in Delhi. Children reported labelling students by teachers as ‘naughty’ or academically ‘weak’ or ‘incapable’ as a pervasive practice. These ‘designated identities’ (Sfard &amp; Prusak, 2005) were reinforced by teachers and through peer interactions. They were internalized by participants about their peers and affected how they interacted with them. Peers who were labelled were reported to be stigmatized. Surprisingly, neither caste nor gender were mentioned as explicitly marking participant experiences. The paper also discusses the participatory methods employed in the study as a further contribution to the literature on private schooling. Data are from participatory ‘draw-and-talk’ sessions conducted with 16 children in 2015-16 from marginalized backgrounds, accessing six different private schools in one catchment area, half of whom secured a free private school seat. Participants were from amongst the first cohorts eligible for the free seats provision.

The effectiveness of a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for common adolescent mental health problems in New Delhi, India: protocol for a school-based, individually randomized controlled trial with an embedded stepped-wedge, cluster randomized controlled recruitment trial

BackgroundConduct, anxiety, and depressive disorders account for over 75% of the adolescent mental health burden globally. The current protocol will test a low-intensity problem-solving intervention for school-going adolescents with common mental health problems in India. The protocol also tests the effects of a classroom-based sensitization intervention on the demand for counselling services in an embedded recruitment trial.Methods/designWe will conduct a two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial in six Government-run secondary schools in New Delhi. The targeted sample is 240 adolescents in grades 9–12 with persistent, elevated mental health symptoms and associated distress/impairment. Participants will receive either a brief problem-solving intervention delivered over 3 weeks by lay counsellors (intervention) or enhanced usual care comprised of problem-solving booklets (control). Self-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and idiographic problems will be assessed at 6 weeks (co-primary outcomes) and again at 12 weeks post-randomization. In addition, adolescent-reported distress/impairment, perceived stress, mental wellbeing, and clinical remission, as well as parent-reported adolescent mental health symptoms and impact scores, will be assessed at 6 and 12 weeks post-randomization. We will also complete a parallel process evaluation, including estimations of the costs of delivering the interventions.An embedded recruitment trial will apply a stepped-wedge, cluster (class)-randomized controlled design in 70 classes across the six schools. This will evaluate the added effect of a classroom-based sensitization intervention over and above school-level sensitization activities on the primary outcome of referral rate into the host trial. Other outcomes will be the proportion of referrals eligible to participate in the host trial, proportion of self-generated referrals, and severity and pattern of symptoms among referred adolescents in each condition. Power calculations were undertaken separately for each trial. A detailed statistical analysis plan will be developed separately for each trial prior to unblinding.DiscussionBoth trials were initiated on 20 August 2018. A single research protocol for both trials offers a resource-efficient methodology for testing the effectiveness of linked procedures to enhance uptake and outcomes of a school-based psychological intervention for common adolescent mental health problems.Trial registrationBoth trials are registered prospectively with the National Institute of Health registry (www.clinicaltrials.gov), registration numbers NCT03633916 and NCT03630471, registered on 16th August, 2018 and 14th August, 2018 respectively).

Parallel partnerships: Teach for India and new institutional regimes in municipal schools in New Delhi

ABSTRACT Over the past decade the Teach for India (TFI) organisation has emerged as a prominent non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with ailing urban municipal government bodies across select cities in India. An off-shoot of the Teach for America (TFA) programme, TFI aims to improve quality of education in under-resourced municipal government schools through English medium education. Through in-depth interviews with members associated with TFI, some municipal school teachers and information accessed through Right to Information (RTI) applications, this article delineates the modalities of the PPP arrangement within municipal schools in Delhi. It examines how the intervention is institutionalising parallel governance structures, accentuating class-based tensions and exacerbating pedagogical inequities within these long-neglected schools.