West Bengal Research Articles

Motivation, work experience, and teacher performance: A comparative study

This research study investigates the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on employee performance, with a specific focus on the moderating role of employees' work experience. This investigation utilizes a proposed framework, focusing on higher educational institutions in West Bengal, India. It contributes to the human resource management field by comparing teacher performance in private and government academic institutions based on their motivation levels. The study employs a quantitative approach, collecting data from 250 teachers in West Bengal, India, using a structured questionnaire. The dataset underwent analysis employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) due to its inherent capacity to accommodate smaller sample sizes while delivering precise and insightful outcomes. The results indicate a strong positive relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and teacher performance in both types of institutions. Work experience moderates the connection between intrinsic motivation and performance in both sectors but has no significant impact on the relationship between extrinsic motivation and performance in private academic institutions. This study links a gap in the literature by empirically exploring the impact of teacher motivation on their performance and provides valuable insights into the complex interplay among motivation, work experience, and performance. Practically, it emphasizes the importance of employee motivation and accumulated work experience in enhancing performance. This study attempts to underscore the role of work experience as a moderating variable, thereby contributing to the novel discourse in the educational landscape of the post-pandemic era. The findings demand to identification of diverse organizational developmental drivers as work experience does not exhibit a strong mediation effect. However, limitations such as potential response bias should be considered in future research in this area.

Accuracy in placing oral cuffed endotracheal tube to correct depth in Indian adults based on conventional guidelines

Background & Aims: Precise positioning of oral Endotracheal tube (ETT) anytime is difficult however if attained will ease complications of its misplacement. The accuracy in positioning oral cuffed ETTs to the correct depth in Indian adults following conventional guidelines was sought for. Methods: This study was conducted upon 240 adults ageing 20 to 60 years of both sex, who required endotracheal intubation at operation rooms or already intubated due to any reason admitted in CCU of BSMC&H, Bankura, West Bengal, excluding patients with hemodynamic instability and upper airway deformities. Oral ETT intubation was performed and ETT fixed at incisors following conventional guidelines. ETT tip to Carina distance was measured with fiberoptic bronchoscope thereafter. The power of study was kept at 0.95. Obtained data were evaluated with descriptive and inferential statistical tests by Microsoft Excel 2016. Results & Conclusions: Only 60% (n=144) of ETTs were found to be accurately positioned. In the rest 40% (n=96) of misplaced ETTs, the majority (91%, n=87) were placed too deep. Predetermined fixing the ETTs at 21 cm and 23cm mark in females and males respectively leads to deep placement in 36% of them. Hence, we can declare that securing ETT at midline according to the conventional guidelines doesn’t match our Indian people.

A study to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and its impact on quality of life in the menopausal women in a selected Urban community, Kolkata, West Bengal

Menopause is the end of menstruation. Menopause is cessation of menstruation for 12 months or a period that equivalent to three previous cycles or as time of cessation of ovarian function resulting in permanent amenorrhea. Menopause is a part of a women’s natural ageing process when lower level of estrogen & progesterone is produced by ovaries. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 400 women in the age group of 45-50 years in a selected urban community, Kolkata, West Bengal in 2020. Menopause Specific Quality of Life scale was used to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and its impact. Data analysis was performed calculating mean, frequency and percentage and chisquare. Among the vasomotor symptoms prevalence of sweating was maximum (98%), among psychological symptoms anxiety and nervousness was the maximum prevalent symptoms(98%), most prevalent physical symptom was lack of energy (89.25%). Vasomotor symptoms had mild moderate and severe impact on quality of life where the other symptoms had mild and moderate impact on quality of life. Menopausal symptoms had significant association with socio demographic variables. The results support the popular belief that menopause causes vasomotor, physical and psychological problems. From the findings of the present study it can be concluded that almost all areas or domains evaluated were impaired in menopausal women but the vasomotor and psychological symptoms affects women’s quality of life more than the physical and sexual symptoms of menopause

The Pala Performing- Art of India and It’s Possibility of Impact on Higher Education: a Hopeful Approach

Pala is a living performing art form of India which is found prevalent in Assam, West Bengal and Orissa.Our students can easily stimulate their emotion, passion, body and brain with the help of this Performing art.The art form consists of music , dance, song and dialogue and with the help of these students can expose their subject from their chosen field and can establish their thoughts .As we know that the society is the background of all our subjects,so in completion of their research based course, this Performing art can play a very pivotal role. By this way,their cognitive abilities will be increased and the mass people will understand the importance and significance of the higher education through performing art.And this will reflect how education is connected with culture .

Carving Drought Impact Over Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Purulia was the westernmost district of West Bengal (from 1956) and is drought-prone due to deficient rainfall, its undulating topography with rugged hilly terrains and its positioning near the Tropic of Cancer, the spatial evaluation of vulnerable and risk-prone places.
 The various impacts of drought, such as meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural, are assessed by considering the meteorological parameters, vulnerability, and risk levels. The fundamental factors impacting susceptibility and risk are recognised, and the drought years are analysed. The methodologies applied GIS technology, EREDAS, and secondary data were collected to analyse the type of drought. The intensities and types of droughts: a spatial analysis and relative vulnerability assessment of the Kashipur/ Purulia block by Remote Sensing and GIS. Analysis of pre- and post-monsoon meteorological and Agricultural drought.
 Agriculture is a climate-sensitive activity. The mechanism is to know the farmers, what crops to grow, when suitable, the climatic parameters, temperature, rainfall concentration, and seasonal hazards. A well-planned agriculture practice has been proposed, and an adequately calculated water budget, catchment treatment plan, and implementation of a perfect crop plan, seeds, manures, and pesticides are the weapons of the drought-hit Purulia/Kashipur farmers.

Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning in Undergraduate Medical Course: A Mixed-Methods Study in a Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Critical thinking is considered as the essential set of skills for medical practice, particularly during emergencies. However, there is lack of conceptual clarity around it and it was not explicitly included in the undergraduate medical curriculum in India. The present study has been planned to assess the critical thinking disposition and clinical reasoning skills among medical undergraduate students in a medical college in West Bengal, India. The perceived definition and attributes of critical thinking in medical education will be explored and the contexts where application of critical thinking skills may be crucial for medical practice will be identified. The content validity index, test-retest agreement; internal consistency and construct validity of the Critical Thinking Disposition Assessment Questionnaire (CTDAQ) will be assessed through step-by-step procedure. CTDAQ and the case-based objective-type questions for the clinical reasoning skills will be applied to around 200 medical undergraduate students. Their perception and experience on critical thinking in medical education will be assessed with structured open-ended questions. In-depth interviews with medical teachers of the second and third phases of undergraduate medical curriculum will be conducted to assess their perception and experiences on critical thinking. The quantitative analysis will be conducted with MS excel and R software using the relevant packages. The qualitative data will be transcribed and translated in English, close to the participants’ verbatim. The thematic analysis will be conducted with inductive coding and memoing. The study will be conducted maintaining ethical standards for epidemiological studies. The present study, one of the first a few studies in India, will help to meet the conceptual gap in understanding the attributes of critical thinking, its association with clinical reasoning and the contexts of preferred application in medical practice.

Hydro Sight: Groundwater Prospector

Access to groundwater is crucial for the sustenance of communities, particularly in key regions of West Bengal such as Midnapore, Birbhum, Purulia, and other areas. A significant portion of the population relies heavily on groundwater for various essential needs, including drinking water and daily chores. Hydro Sight is a project aimed at revolutionizing groundwater prospecting using data analysis techniques. Our initiative leverages data provided by the State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID), Government of West Bengal. Using machine learning techniques, we will generate compelling visual representations of data. Hydro Sight isn't just about technology; it's about working together to solve a real-time problem.

Trends in prevalence of unmet need for family planning in India: patterns of change across 36 States and Union Territories, 1993–2021

BackgroundEliminating unmet need for family planning by 2030 is a global priority for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. We estimate the sub-national trends in prevalence of unmet need for family planning over 30 years in India and study differences based on socio-economic and demographic factors.MethodsWe used data from five National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) conducted between 1993 to 2021 for the 36 states/Union Territories (UTs) of India. The study population included women of ages 15–49 years who were married or in a union at the time of the survey. The outcome was unmet need for family planning which captures the prevalence of fecund and sexually active women not using contraception, who want to delay or limit childbearing. We calculated the standardized absolute change to estimate the change in prevalence on an annual basis across all states/UTs. We examined the patterning of prevalence of across demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and estimated the headcount of women with unmet need in 2021.ResultsThe prevalence of unmet need in India decreased from 20·6% (95% CI: 20·1– 21·2%) in 1993, to 9·4% (95% CI: 9·3–9·6%) in 2021. Median unmet need prevalence across states/UTs decreased from 17·80% in 1993 to 8·95% in 2021. The north-eastern states of Meghalaya (26·9%, 95% CI: 25·3–28·6%) and Mizoram (18·9%, 95% CI: 17·2–20·6%), followed by the northern states of Bihar (13·6%, 95% CI: 13·1–14·1%) and Uttar Pradesh (12·9%, 95% CI: 12·5–13·2%), had the highest unmet need prevalence in 2021. As of 2021, the estimated number of women with an unmet need for family planning was 24,194,428. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal accounted for half of this headcount. Women of ages 15–19 and those belonging the poorest wealth quintile had a relatively high prevalence of unmet need in 2021.ConclusionsThe existing initiatives under the National Family Planning Programme should be strengthened, and new policies should be developed with a focus on states/UTs with high prevalence, to ensure unmet need for family planning is eliminated by 2030.

Investigating key latent factors influencing alcohol consumption among the tribal male adolescents in Dooars region, West Bengal

Background Alcohol consumption among tribal male adolescents in India is a significant social concern. Tribal adolescents are particularly vulnerable and tend to lean toward alcohol addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce some necessary footsteps to reduce alcohol consumption. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the association of various latent factors with the alcohol-drinking behavior of tribal adolescents. Methods The study collected data from 600 tribal adolescents from the Dooars region, with 241 of them reported consuming alcohol. The study aimed to confirm the theoretical development of hypotheses regarding peer pressure, parental discord, stress, attitude toward alcohol, and food insecurity as exogenous latent factors influencing the alcohol-drinking behavior of tribal adolescents. In this context, the study adopted both measurement and structural models using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results The findings revealed a significant path relationship between alcohol drinking behavior and various exogenous factors like peer pressure (β = 0.214, p = .000), parental discord (β = 0.121, p = .009), stress (β = 0.170, p = .000), attitude toward alcohol (β = 0.110, p = .004), and food insecurity (β = 0.510, p = .000). This study developed a reflective measurement model, and the evaluation of reflective measurement models was conducted, assessing internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity, yielding satisfactory results. Conclusion To tackle alcohol issues among tribal adolescents in the Dooars region, effective strategies should be employed. These include educating in schools, highlighting tribal role models, aiding peers with alcohol dependence, providing life skills training, and addressing parental discord and food insecurity through awareness campaigns, workshops, and better infrastructure.

Study on the Effect of Trichoderma viride on Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms in Paddy Cultivation with the Combination of Chemical Fertilizer on soil Fertility Parameters

Trichoderma viride, biological control with Trichoderma viride is an eco-friendly and has potential approach for managing plant diseases. It also aids in phosphate solubilization. Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms are ubiquitous, whose number varies from soil to soil. The present work on, ‘Effect of Trichoderma viride on Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism in Paddy cultivation” was conducted under lower gangetic alluvial region from 2016-2017(December to May) at Agricultural Experimental Station of Calcutta University, Baruipur, 24 Parganas (South), West Bengal. The Rice variety “Satabdi (IET-4786)” from the department of Genetics and Plant Breeding was sown and recommended fertilizer dose of 80:40:40 kg per hectare. The experiment was carried out with six treatments replicated four times. Out of the six treatments, T3 which received T.V and P.S showed highest Carbon, Phosphorus and Potassium content and T6 showed highest Nitrogen content in the soil

A Comparative Study of Regional Disparities in the Districts of West Bengal

In the post-economic reform period, the overall economic growth of West Bengal has been increasing. However, agricultural growth has become sluggish since the 1990s. The relatively low contribution of the secondary sector reveals an absence of a strong manufacturing base in the state. The high contribution of the tertiary sector indicates diversification and expansion of services. The time dimension for district-level analysis has been constricted by data availability. The inequality among the district is increasing, with a divergence of growth. Three development indices and a composite index reveal a significant disparity in development outcomes across districts between 2001 and 2013. The developmental gap between districts in the southern and northern parts of West Bengal has become prominent. JEL Codes: R11, 047, D63

Drinking water quality in Cooch Behar Municipality, West Bengal, India: Assessment using WQI and public perception

AbstractEffective assessment and management of groundwater quality are essential for safeguarding the integrity of freshwater resources. Cooch Behar Municipality of West Bengal has been chosen for the present study due to its reliance primarily on groundwater for drinking water. The study focuses on assessing groundwater quality in the study area, a planned city with a long history of urbanization. The primary objective is to analyze various parameters relevant to drinking water and compute the Water Quality Index (WQI) with the residents' perception. Forty water samples were collected from Cooch Behar Municipality's Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, encompassing all 20 wards. Each ward provided one sample from a Deep Tube Well (DTW) and a Shallow Tube Well (STW). EC, Fe, TH, Mn, pH, TDS, Turbidity, Ca, and Mg levels were determined using standard instruments and methods, and analyzed geospatial techniques and statistical methods were employed. Results revealed concerning levels of manganese (Mn) and total hardness (TH), exceeding permissible limits in 82.5% and 75% of samples, respectively. While some parameters remained within acceptable limits, computed WQI values ranged from 63.28 to 162.67, indicating significant overall water quality concerns. Alarmingly, 45% of samples were unsuitable for drinking, with an additional 40% classified as very poor. Notably, demographic factors such as household income and education level correlated with perceptions of poor water quality. Policy implications suggest the urgent need for a well‐structured management system to address these findings and ensure safe drinking water for residents.

Self help groups and politics: A complex relationship

Despite a large body of literature investigating the impact of self-help groups (SHGs) on women, less detailed attention has been paid to the complicated relationship between SHGs and politics, beyond political ‘awareness’. Based on qualitative on the ground research in West Bengal, this article shows that the relationship between politics and SHGs is highly complex, since political involvement in SHGs can create conflict and division in communities but also can provide unique opportunities for women. By drawing on theories of social exclusion and feminist literature on the public/private binary, this article argues that politics is critical in understanding how SHGs operate, particularly the way in which political exclusion through SHGs fuels ostracisation and conflict in communities.

Unveiling the Confidence: Exploring Research Self-efficacy among Ph.D. Scholars

The present investigation aimed at measuring the research self-efficacy of Ph.D. research scholars. The term research self-efficacy means a person’s belief that they can perform the research activity with some proficiency. The present study consists of ninety-two participants from different universities and research institutes in West Bengal. The researchers employed a cross-sectional survey method for the present study. A self-constructed, close-ended questionnaire was constructed and administered to collect the data. During data analysis, the researchers utilised t-test, ANOVA, mean, S.D., correlation, skewness, and kurtosis with the help of SPSS-22 software. The findings of the investigation are that the research scholars have a high level of research self-efficacy. Male participants obtain slightly higher research efficacy than female scholars. Also, research scholars from science backgrounds have better research self-efficacy than those from the arts, commerce, etc. Further, the results show no significant distinction in research self-efficacy concerning their gender, faculty, type of researcher, and years of research involvement.

Expansion of Cashless Transaction in Daily Life: A Case Study in Birbhum District of West Bengal

Cashless transactions refer to the exchange of money through electronic means, rather than using physical currency or traditional paper-based methods. It has become increasingly popular due to technological advancements, convenience, and the widespread use of the internet and mobile devices. Several forms of digital transactions exist, such as online banking, mobile banking, UPI, POS etc. The various types of activities performed by common citizens through cashless transactions in daily life. In rural India, different kinds of challenges exist to the adoption of digital transaction like digital literacy, internet connectivity. With the help of a linear regression analysis, it has been observed that demographic and technological factors play important role in spreading cashless transaction in everyday life.

Self-reported side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among health professions students in India.

Studies focusing on the safety and common side effects of vaccines play a crucial role in enhancing public acceptance of vaccination. Research is scarce regarding the usage of COVID-19 vaccines and the side effects experienced by health professions students in India and other countries. This study aimed to document self-reported side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination among medical and dental students of six medical and dental colleges and teaching hospitals in four states (Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal) of India. A cross-sectional survey using purposive sampling of medical and dental students was conducted from 26 April to 26 May 2021. Data was collected using a Google Forms questionnaire capturing information regarding receiving COVID-19 vaccines, side effects and symptoms, onset and duration of symptoms, use of treatment to alleviate symptoms, awareness of haematologic risks associated with vaccination, and side effects from previous (non-COVID-19) vaccinations. The majority (94.5%) of participants received both doses of the Covishield/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Among participants (n=492), 45.3% (n=223) reported one or more side effects. The most frequently reported side effects were soreness of the injected arm (80.3%), tiredness (78.5%), fever (71.3%), headache (64.1%), and hypersomnia (58.7%). The two most common severe symptoms were fever (14.8%) and headache (13%). Most side effects appeared on the day of vaccination: soreness of the injection site (57%), fever (43.1%), and tiredness (42.6%). Most reported symptoms persisted for one to three days-soreness of the injection site (53%), fever (47.1%), and headache (42.6%). Logistic regression showed that women were almost 85% less likely to report side effects. The study's findings corroborate the safety of the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine's first dose, evidenced by the relatively minor and transient nature of the side effects. However, the study underscores the necessity for ongoing research to assess the long-term impacts of COVID-19 vaccines, especially in the context of booster doses, thereby contributing to the global understanding of vaccine safety and efficacy.

A Clinico-epidemiological Study to Evaluate the Status of Iodine Deficiency Disorder in North 24 Pargana District of West Bengal

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) being major public health problems in India, including WestBengal needs to be continuously monitored through recommended methods and indicators.Present study is aiming to assess the total goiter rate, urinary iodine excretion, iodine content of salts at households’ level among primary school children and to find association with the socio-demographic characteristics of the study population.Method: A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted during March 2019 to August 2019 among 540schoolchildren of class three and four. Goiter was assessed by standard palpation technique, urinary iodineexcretion (UIE) was analyzed by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kits.The total goiter rate (TGR) was 10.56 %. About 97.22 % of the salt samples tested were adequately iodized. Though consumption of iodized salt was adequate irrespective of socio demographic characteristics; goiter prevalence was significantly different with respect to mother’s education level. Median urinary iodine excretion was found to be with in normal range. Lastly, a comparison is made between indicators of IDD over years which showed significant fall of TGR % of North 24 Pgs and a significant increase of adequately iodized salt consumption from 2004 to 2019.Conclucion: 2019 resurvey of North 24 parganas indicates that the district achieved close to the goal of NIDDCP i.e. prevalence of IDD should be below 10%. It also proved that universal salt iodinization program has increased the household’s iodine consumption above national goal of 91.2%. Goiter prevalence is found to be less in children whose mother attend the education up to 12th standard and beyond.

Humanizing Pandemics by Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Societal Response to Pandemics: The case of Bengal (aka West Bengal)

This study is interdisciplinary in nature and brings in its fold dissemination of social science research on health. In the light of the recent Covid 19 crisis, there has been an increasing interest towards epidemiology and to understand the concept of epidemics or pandemics. Intermittent outbreaks of infectious diseases have had profound effect on societies throughout history. Historical perspective helps in understanding the extent to which panic, connected with social stigma, threat, prejudice, frustrated public health efforts can control the spread of disease. The intensity of the spread of a pandemic and the number of people affected in country and specific regions depend a lot on the measures of state control at the local and centre-level. However, the severity of an epidemic which slowly pervades into a pandemic depends on the spatio-temporal frame of a region. The research poses a basic question, how do members of the society respond to the threat of pandemic and to the hygiene, social isolation and other measures proposed by public health, over time and selects the case of Bengal which has witnessed three pandemics since the 18thcentury.. The study follows a mixed-method approach and the discussion provided a few general observations which however are not exhaustive to pandemic reaction, for the study area like threat Perception, emergence of leadership, science communication etc.

Challenging neurological presentation: Scrub typhus with meningoencephalitis and multiple cranial nerve involvement

AbstractA 40‐year‐old male farmer from rural West Bengal, India, presented with fever, headaches, seizure, eschar, and palsy of left cranial nerves VII, VIII, IX, and X as a rare clinical manifestation of scrub typhus. Positive IgM enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests in serum and cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the diagnosis, with brain magnetic resonance imaging showing meningoencephalitis findings. Treatment with steroids and doxycycline led to neurological improvement. This case highlights the need for heightened clinician awareness toward early detection of scrub typhus's atypical presentations to ensure timely and effective treatment.

Taxonomic relationship does not limit dietary assemblages in fish: an investigation in small freshwater fishes

Abstract Foraging profitability is one of the significant factors affecting habitat selection in fishes. The food habits of the fish species vary seasonally due to the dynamic nature of their environment. For that, the dietary analysis of a fish is essential in the case of fish diversity research. Most of the variations in prey size consumed by piscivores were correlated to the differences in piscivore body size, which morphological constraints can explain. The present study aimed to investigate the ecomorphological assemblage of small indigenous freshwater fish species from smaller lentic freshwater bodies based on a range of morphological traits and evaluate fish assemblages with respect to the feeding guilds. Freshwater ponds around Birbhum district, West Bengal (India) were selected for the collection of fish species, namely Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius sophore, Esomus danrica, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Chanda nama, Parambassis lala, Trichogaster fasciata, Anabas testudineus and Glossogobius giuris. Morphometric and gut content analysis were done, and the trophic guild matrix, taxonomic distance matrix, and morphological matrix were calculated. The result showed a strong association between ecomorphological traits and trophic structure, indicating an independent assemblage pattern beyond the taxonomic influence.