- Dr Grills is a Sidney Sax NHMRC research fellow, a public health physician (FAPHM) and senior researcher at Nossal In... moreDr Grills is a Sidney Sax NHMRC research fellow, a public health physician (FAPHM) and senior researcher at Nossal Institute of Global Health, University of Melbourne. Under a Rhodes scholarship he completed his MPH and DPhil at Oxford University focussing on partnerships between NGOs, government and international actors. He also worked with Center for Disease Control and World Health Organisation on HIV and civil society partnerships. From 2008-2010 he was a Public Health Fellow (Dept. Health, Victoria). His international experience includes work in Sub-Saharan Africa, Fiji, East Timor, PNG, Bangladesh, Burma and Nepal. He currently leads 5 international research projects on topics related to non-communicable diseases, disability, public health leadership and social network analysis. He researches how networks of non-state actors can influence health policy and assist with integration into the public health system. This research was recently compiled into his 2nd PhD on the importance of networks in public health practise. His research strength is implementational research in the context of community health programs and development. He currently facilitates a Network of 50 NGOs who work together to train Community Health Workers and undertake research on disability and NCDs. Through his faculty position with Public Health Foundation of India he works closely with the health department of the Uttarakhand State Government and Govt. of India tobacco control unit. He also works with the Emmanuel Health Association, a network of 20 hospitals and 35 community health programs. In these roles he is involved in teaching, curriculum development and research. In his research and implementational work he employs 18 people in South Asia, supervises 6 students from India and Australia, and coordinates a community health program and a community based disability program. Together, these skills will significantly enhance the implementation and scalability to the current project.edit
Table S2. Age, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of participants at baseline, according to diabetes status as measured by HbA1c. (DOCX 18 kb)
The authors used photovoice methodology to gain insight into the lives of 18 people with disabilities in rural North India. This project provided participants with an opportunity to express their joys and difficulties and provided... more
The authors used photovoice methodology to gain insight into the lives of 18 people with disabilities in rural North India. This project provided participants with an opportunity to express their joys and difficulties and provided important insights to help structure future programs and supports within the community.
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PURPOSE Family members are preferred providers of care for people with disability in India. Despite this, research which evaluates the impact of caregiving is limited. This qualitative study provides a comprehensive, in-depth exploration... more
PURPOSE Family members are preferred providers of care for people with disability in India. Despite this, research which evaluates the impact of caregiving is limited. This qualitative study provides a comprehensive, in-depth exploration of the lived experience of carers who provide assistance to persons with a disability in Southwest India. METHODS In this qualitative study, 20 carers who assist persons with disability were purposively selected to undertake semi-structured interviews across a variety of domains. Data analysis was informed by Attride-Stirling's thematic network analysis. RESULTS Five global themes were identified which included; carers commitment to caring; concurrent demands of caregiving; mental and physical health of carers; networks and sources of non-financial support; and finances - strains and supports. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an in-depth exploration of the lived experience of carers in Kerala, India which will inform the future development of interventions to assist primary carers.Implications for rehabilitationFamily members are preferred providers of care for people with disability in India.By understanding the issues that affect carers who assist people with disability, it is possible to develop more effective, targeted, and sustainable interventions, that meet the needs of carers and alleviate some of their burden.Improving the health and wellbeing of carers needs to be urgently addressed in order to improve outcomes for those with disability - whom they care for.
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In India, fair skin is a highly valued physical attribute. Skin lightener products comprise 60% of the dermatological market. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the general medical outpatient clinics of Champa Christian Hospital... more
In India, fair skin is a highly valued physical attribute. Skin lightener products comprise 60% of the dermatological market. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the general medical outpatient clinics of Champa Christian Hospital to elucidate the perceptions of fair skin and determinants/pattern of skin lighter use. Demographics, pattern of skin lightener use and incidence of side effects, perceptions of lighter skin tones were the main outcomes and measures studied. The use of skin lighteners was highly prevalent in our study population. Believing that lighter skin is beneficial for self-esteem is a predictor for skin lightener use. Higher education was associated with lower perceived benefits of fairer skin and therefore reduced skin lightener use. Further education and increased community awareness are important to address the issues surrounding potential over-use of skin-lightening products.
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PURPOSE To identify the competencies required by Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) practitioners in India and determine typical pathways of competency development, including minimum practice standards. METHODS Following a literature... more
PURPOSE To identify the competencies required by Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) practitioners in India and determine typical pathways of competency development, including minimum practice standards. METHODS Following a literature review of existing frameworks and guidelines for CBR delivery, Delphi methods were used with Indian CBR experts to identify the main competency requirements of CBR personnel. Rubric writing workshops with CBR experts then expressed the performance of these competencies developmentally as learning progressions. The rubrics were converted into an observation form and field tested with 100 CBR personnel of varying expertise levels, through third party assessments by workplace supervisors. Finally, a second Delphi panel determined major competency stages and minimum standards for practice. RESULTS Three broad job functions pertaining to five focus areas and 37 developmentally described competencies were found important for delivery of quality CBR. Through a standard setting process, for each job function experts reached agreement on major competency stages, including a minimum practice standard. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests India's CBR expertise proceeds in four stages within three broad job functions - Assessment and Intervention, Inclusive Community Development, and Professional and Ethical Behaviour and Practice. The findings have direct implications for designing curricula to facilitate the competency development of CBR personnel.Implications for rehabilitationMeeting the rehabilitation and inclusion needs of people with disability in low and middle-income countries requires adequately trained local personnel.Currently, lack of knowledge and understanding of the competencies required of CBR personnel is affecting training and workforce quality.Consensus amongst Indian experts about a CBR learning pathway indicates possibilities for effective competency-based course design.
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Editorial introducing the special issue on pandemic response, with these key resource links: CCIH resources & forum: https://www.ccih.org/cpt_resources/covid-19/ CCIH survey: https://www.ccih.org/covid-19-response-survey-of-fbos/... more
Editorial introducing the special issue on pandemic response, with these key resource links: CCIH resources & forum: https://www.ccih.org/cpt_resources/covid-19/ CCIH survey: https://www.ccih.org/covid-19-response-survey-of-fbos/ Leadership consultations (HFAN): https://www.healthforallnations.com/ Book & mission blogs: https://www.medicalmissions.com/coronavirus ICMDA Resource Links: https://mailchi.mp/a46dcc104406/covid01? Joint Learning Initiative for Faith and Local Communities: https://jliflc.com/covid/ CUGH resources for educators and researchers: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/COVID-19-Newsletter-Vol--5.html?soid=1112846108446&aid=AUbGAK-oI_U FBO resources from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.htm Community health fact sheet (in 25 languages):https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8jexCP7yBlsK0MxPpUzK3Iv?domain=r20.rs6.net
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Could ongoing COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in India risk more harm than the pandemic itself given a population already facing major poverty and health challenges?
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Background: In India it is estimated that one third of expenditure of households is spent on health related expenses, and medication purchases make up a large proportion of these costs. Objective: To investigate a novel methodology, which... more
Background: In India it is estimated that one third of expenditure of households is spent on health related expenses, and medication purchases make up a large proportion of these costs. Objective: To investigate a novel methodology, which was cost effective, to collect large amounts of data to further understand medication purchases and misuse in rural India.Methods: This study explores the research approach that was conducted in 2012-13 by Layleaders enrolled in the Community Lay-Leaders’ Health Certificate Program initiative by Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India.Results: The methodology demonstrated a large data collection capacity, where 100 Layleaders participated and collected over 5000 surveys across 515 villages in North, Central and North East India.Conclusions: Incorporating opportunistic research methods into community health worker training can be a cost effective way to collect meaningful and useful data in rural India. This study demonstrates a successful m...
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Policies to restrict movements and contact between people have been a common response to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in many countries around the world, in varying degrees of stringency. However, there have been concerns on the... more
Policies to restrict movements and contact between people have been a common response to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in many countries around the world, in varying degrees of stringency. However, there have been concerns on the possible negative effects of these restrictions such as stay-at-home orders and lockdowns. In this analysis we attempt to determine the quantitative evidence of these potential harms, focusing on the few studies that approximate a counterfactual variation in level of restrictions. We find clear adverse impacts of lockdowns on mental health, intimate partner violence and physical activity, as well as a decrease in road traffic injuries, and increase in generalised anxiety. A discussion driven by science (not politics) is needed on what lockdowns can deliver, their limitations and how to optimally deploy them, keeping country specific circumstances in mind, along other public health strategies, in the fight against COVID-19.
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Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 93 © 2021 The Authors This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium,... more
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 93 © 2021 The Authors This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. Victoria has experienced more COVID-19 cases than all other state and territories combined, on the back of a sizeable second wave.1 Multiple inquiries2,3,4 into the Victorian Government’s response to the pandemic has seen much blame-shifting and contributed to the resignation of a Victorian Health Minister.
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The central role of the community and its place in both healthcare planning and service delivery is increasingly seen as a vital foundation for global health. The fourth edition of Setting up Community Health Programmes in Low and Middle... more
The central role of the community and its place in both healthcare planning and service delivery is increasingly seen as a vital foundation for global health. The fourth edition of Setting up Community Health Programmes in Low and Middle Income Settings provides a practical introductory guide to the initiation, management, and sustaining of health care programmes in developing countries. The book has been fully revised to take into account the Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, and Universal Health Coverage. Taking an evidence-based approach the book provides rationales and contextualized examples of health at the community level. Key topics include non-communicable diseases, disability, addiction, abuse and mental health. This book provides a practical guide for community health workers including field workers, programme managers, medical professionals involved in front line health care, administrators, health planners and postgraduate students
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of people living with a psychosocial disability in rural India and Nepal, and to highlight key barriers and enablers for inclusion.Method: Participatory action research approaches... more
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of people living with a psychosocial disability in rural India and Nepal, and to highlight key barriers and enablers for inclusion.Method: Participatory action research approaches and Photovoice methodology were employed to investigate the lived experience of 32 participants in rural India and Nepal. There were 12 participants and 4 caregivers of people with psychosocial disability from each of the two countries. Semi-structured interviews with study participants were transcribed and analysed thematically to answer the study question.Results: The findings revealed themes related to various supports, meaningful engagement in activity, and community awareness. Among these categories were both enabling and impeding factors to inclusion, the presence or absence of which was typically associated with improvements or worsening of symptoms respectively.Conclusions and Implications: This study underscores the need for integrated commu...
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This study has investigated the impacts of the Community Lay-Leaders Health Training Certificate course on trainees and their communities, specific to the state of Uttarakhand, north India. A suite of semi-structured interviews and focus... more
This study has investigated the impacts of the Community Lay-Leaders Health Training Certificate course on trainees and their communities, specific to the state of Uttarakhand, north India. A suite of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among course stakeholders and graduates respectively, and textual data was added to the data set. Thematic analysis of the results revealed four themes, including: (1) the effectiveness of course design and delivery, together with the key role of the Coordinating Facilitator; (2) the match between graduates’ practices, the providing institution’s objectives and general expectations of community health worker; (3) the strengthening of the health system through skills multiplication, collaboration with existing authorities, and advocacy for higher quality in professional practice; and (4) the need for ongoing support and training post-graduation. The findings are consistent with literature concerning community health w...
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Physical triggers of multisite pain (MSP) have typically been the focus if treatment regimens for MSP in low and middle income countries (LMICS). We explored the non-physical dimension of MSP, particularly the presence of mental ill... more
Physical triggers of multisite pain (MSP) have typically been the focus if treatment regimens for MSP in low and middle income countries (LMICS). We explored the non-physical dimension of MSP, particularly the presence of mental ill health and other possible risk factors. We conducted a case-control study among 140 female participants in North India in early 2019. We used structured interviews to assess pain, and validated mental health questionnaires to determine presence of depression and neurotic disorders. Statistical analyses of multisite pain, mental health and demographic data found strong associations between multisite pain and depression and neurotic disorder. Marital status (women who had been widowed, separated or unmarried) was the only demographic factor found to have a significant association with the experience multisite pain. We conclude that non-physical factors such as mental health need to be considered by treating practitioners, and included within national treat...
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Background and Aims: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 61% of deaths in India. This review focuses on Community Health Workers’ (CHW) effectiveness in preventing and managing NCDs in India which could help direct future... more
Background and Aims: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 61% of deaths in India. This review focuses on Community Health Workers’ (CHW) effectiveness in preventing and managing NCDs in India which could help direct future research and government policy. Methods: A search of PubMed, Ovid, Embase and CINAHL using terms related to “community health workers” and “India” was used to find articles that quantitatively measured the effect of CHW delivered interventions on NCD risk and health outcomes. Results: CHW interventions are associated with improved health outcomes, metabolic parameters, and lifestyle risk factors in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer. Current literature on CHW interventions for NCDs in India is limited in number of studies and the scope of NCDs covered. Conclusion: There is weak to moderate evidence that CHWs can improve NCD health outcomes in India.
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Background The COVID-19 crisis in India negatively impacted mental health due to both the disease and the harsh lockdown, yet there are almost no qualitative studies describing mental health impacts or the strategies of resilience used,... more
Background The COVID-19 crisis in India negatively impacted mental health due to both the disease and the harsh lockdown, yet there are almost no qualitative studies describing mental health impacts or the strategies of resilience used, and in particular, no reports from the most vulnerable groups. This study aimed to examine the acute mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis as well as coping strategies employed by disadvantaged community members in North India. Methods We used an intersectional lens for this qualitative study set in rural Tehri Garwhal and urban Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand, India. In-depth interviews were conducted in May 2020 during lockdown, by phone and in person using purposive selection, with people with disabilities, people living in slums with psychosocial disabilities and widows (total n = 24). We used the framework method for analysis following steps of transcription and translation, familiarisation, coding, developing and then applying a framew...
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ObjectiveThis study aims to quantify the extent to which people’s use of tobacco products varies by local areas (city ward and village) across India and the variation in this clustering by tobacco products.DesignCross-sectional... more
ObjectiveThis study aims to quantify the extent to which people’s use of tobacco products varies by local areas (city ward and village) across India and the variation in this clustering by tobacco products.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsData on 73 954 adults across 2547 city wards and villages were available for analysis from 30 states and 2 union territories in India.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe included as primary outcomes self-reported any tobacco use, current cigarette smoking, current bidi smoking, current smokeless tobacco use and a derived variable for dual use describing respondents who engaged in both smoking and smokeless tobacco use.ResultsThe median risk of an individual using tobacco was 1.64 times greater if a person hypothetically moved from an area of low to high risk of tobacco use (95% CI: 1.60 to 1.69). Area-level partitioning of variation differed by tobacco product used. Median ORs ranged from 1.77 for smokeless tobacco use to 2....
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IntroductionCurrent evidence indicates an alarming increase in topical steroid (TS) misuse in India. Data regarding the magnitude and characteristics of this problem in rural India, where 68% of the population resides, are insufficient.... more
IntroductionCurrent evidence indicates an alarming increase in topical steroid (TS) misuse in India. Data regarding the magnitude and characteristics of this problem in rural India, where 68% of the population resides, are insufficient. This study analyses the magnitude, causes, characteristics and consequences of TS misuse in rural India. It also examines the association between TS misuse and patients’ perception of skin disease.MethodsA mixed-method observational study was conducted among the attendees of the dermatology outpatient department in a rural North Indian hospital. Those with a history of TS misuse were analysed for behaviour patterns and outcome.ResultsOut of 723 patients, 213 (29.2%) misused TS. Clobetasol propionate (58.2%) was most commonly misused. Seventy brands of inappropriate fixed drug combination steroid creams were recovered from the patients. Pharmacists and local healers together contributed to 78% of the sources for steroid misuse. Almost 58% of participa...
Research Interests: Dermatology, Medicine, Rosacea, Acne, Scabies, and 3 moreBMJ, Observational Study, and Topical steroid
Background Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are the mainstay of disability responses worldwide. Yet there is no quantitative data assessing their effectiveness in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to... more
Background Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are the mainstay of disability responses worldwide. Yet there is no quantitative data assessing their effectiveness in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of DPOs as a low-cost intervention to improve well-being and access to services and facilities for people with disabilities. Methods We undertook a cluster randomised intervention control trial across 39 distinct rural villages in Uttarakhand State, North India. A total of 527 participants were included from 39 villages: 302 people from 20 villages were assigned to the intervention arm and 225 from 19 villages were assigned to the control group. Over a 2-year period, people with disabilities were facilitated to form DPOs with regular home visits. Participants were also given financial support for public events and exposure visits to other DPOs. Seven domains were used to measure access and participation. Results DPO format...
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India implemented larger 85% pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products from 1 April 2016. However, to remove the last bit of glamour and attraction from the tobacco packs, it must now embrace plain packaging. Plain packaging... more
India implemented larger 85% pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products from 1 April 2016. However, to remove the last bit of glamour and attraction from the tobacco packs, it must now embrace plain packaging. Plain packaging prevents tobacco packs from carrying the tobacco industry brand imagery as mobile billboards. Postimplementation of larger 85% pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products, this analysis was undertaken to assess the feasibility of plain packaging as the next logical tobacco control policy measure in India. As part of this analysis, the research team reviewed the available literature on legal and policy challenges to plain packaging as a tobacco control policy initiative for India. Literature from 2010 to 2016 in English language was reviewed, which reveals that, India has taken several preparatory steps implemented by other countries like Australia and the UK that have introduced plain packaging, for example, stronger smoke-free laws, ban on tobacco...
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ObjectivesThis study used a population-based cross-sectional survey to describe the prevalence of psychosocial disability and unmet need for access to services in North India.SettingThis study was conducted in Dehradun district,... more
ObjectivesThis study used a population-based cross-sectional survey to describe the prevalence of psychosocial disability and unmet need for access to services in North India.SettingThis study was conducted in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, in 2014.ParticipantsA population-based sample of 2441 people over the age of 18 years.Primary outcome measuresThe Rapid Assessment of Disability survey tool identified people with disability and used an adapted version of the Kessler scale to identify those with psychosocial disability. It additionally collected information on socioeconomic variables, access to community services and barriers to participation. Prevalence of psychosocial disability and unmet needs and descriptions of barriers to services were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between risk factors and psychosocial disability.ResultsPrevalence of psychosocial disability was 4.8% and 75% of participants with psychological distress also...
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Purpose: In low- and middle-income countries, reliable and disaggregated disability data on prevalence, participation and barriers is often not available. This study aimed to estimate disability prevalence, determine associated... more
Purpose: In low- and middle-income countries, reliable and disaggregated disability data on prevalence, participation and barriers is often not available. This study aimed to estimate disability prevalence, determine associated socio-demographic factors and compare access in the community between people with and without disability in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India, using the Rapid Assessment of Disability Survey.Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted on a sample of 2431 adults, selected using a two-stage cluster randomised sampling technique. The survey comprised an interviewer-administered household survey and an individual survey measuring disability, wellbeing and participation. For each person with disability, an age and sex-matched control (without disability) was selected. In addition to prevalence, the difference in participation and barriers faced by people with and without disability were analysed.Results and Conclusions: The prevalence...
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Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face considerable challenges in participating in dental services. These challenges include resource constraints and inadequate skills of health service providers to work with... more
Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face considerable challenges in participating in dental services. These challenges include resource constraints and inadequate skills of health service providers to work with this population. The aim was to scope published studies that addressed access to dental services for children with IDD in order to determine the extent to which various barriers have been researched, using an access framework derived from the literature. Access was defined to include the six dimensions of accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation, acceptability, and appropriateness. Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework was used. Relevant databases (e.g., Medline) were searched for all empirical studies conducted from January 2000 to February 2017 that met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted along the six dimensions of the access framework. Sixteen international studies were identified which indicated common key...
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Purpose: The aim of this study was to review peer-reviewed literature on the roles and functions of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations (DPOs) in low and middle-income countries, and their outputs and outcomes for people with... more
Purpose: The aim of this study was to review peer-reviewed literature on the roles and functions of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations (DPOs) in low and middle-income countries, and their outputs and outcomes for people with disabilities.Method: Online databases were searched without date or language limiters (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane), using a combination of two key word search strategies. Eleven studies were selected for inclusion in this review on the basis of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies underwent quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Downs and Black’s criteria for quality assessment. Data for thematic analysis was then grouped under the broad themes of: participation and factors that facilitate participation; development of partnerships and connections; and self-development and self-help.Results: There was some evidence within the included studies to suggest that DPOs can produce signific...
Research Interests: Psychology and Scopus
Research Interests: Disability Studies, Social Networking, Organizational Culture, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, and 15 moreHealth Administration, Networking, Employment, Medicine, Disability, India, Nursing Research, Library and Information Studies, Humans, Focus Group, Public health systems and services research, Organizational Innovation, Social Marginalization, The Rights of Persons With Disabilities, and Disabled Persons
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To review the current literature around the potential impact, effectiveness and perceptions of plain packaging in low income settings. A systematic review of the literature. 9 databases (PubMed, Global Health, Social Policy and Practice,... more
To review the current literature around the potential impact, effectiveness and perceptions of plain packaging in low income settings. A systematic review of the literature. 9 databases (PubMed, Global Health, Social Policy and Practice, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), CINAHL, PsycINFO, British Library for Development Studies (BLDS), Global Health Library and Scopus) were searched. The terms used for searching combined terms for smoking and tobacco use with terms for plain packaging. Studies investigating the impact of plain packaging on the determinants of tobacco use, such as smoking behaviour, appeal, prominence, effectiveness of health warnings, response to plain packs, attitudes towards quitting or likelihood of smoking in low-income settings, were identified. Studies must have been published in English and be original research of any level of rigour. Two independent reviewers assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data. The results were synthesised q...
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This chapter explains the causes, types, and importance of disability, and ways in which needs of those with disability can be met through community-based rehabilitation (CBR). It explains how any CBR programme should be based on the... more
This chapter explains the causes, types, and importance of disability, and ways in which needs of those with disability can be met through community-based rehabilitation (CBR). It explains how any CBR programme should be based on the principles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). It introduces the World Health Organization (WHO) CBR framework that shows the essential components of a programme. The chapter describes ways to identify people with disability in the community, how to assess their needs, and the importance of linking with community stakeholders and local CBR workers. The chapter goes into detail about the six steps of implementing a CBR programme: screening and assessment, maximizing function, setting up support groups, advocacy, mainstream inclusion, and programme monitoring and evaluation.
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Young people experiencing mental ill-health are often excluded from peer networks, family events, education, marriage and employment. We evaluated a community-based, peer-led intervention guided by the Nae Disha (new pathways) program,... more
Young people experiencing mental ill-health are often excluded from peer networks, family events, education, marriage and employment. We evaluated a community-based, peer-led intervention guided by the Nae Disha (new pathways) program, targeting young people affected by mental ill-health in Uttarakhand, India. A total of 11 groups involving 142 young people (30 male, 112 female) and 8 peer facilitators participated, most of whom were enrolled in a community mental health program. The impact of the intervention on participation, mental health, and social strengths and difficulties was measured at baseline and endline using validated instruments. The proportion experiencing significant social isolation reduced from 20.6 to 5.9% (p < 0.001), and those classified in the ‘abnormal’ range of the social difficulties measure halved from 42.6 to 21.3% (p < 0.001). These findings clearly demonstrate that perceptions of social inclusion and mental health of young people affected by mental illness can be significantly strengthened through participation in this low-resource intervention.
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Background: The COVID-19 crisis in India negatively impacted mental health due to both the disease and the harsh lockdown, yet there are almost no qualitative studies describing mental health impacts or the strategies of resilience used,... more
Background: The COVID-19 crisis in India negatively impacted mental health due to both the disease and the harsh lockdown, yet there are almost no qualitative studies describing mental health impacts or the strategies of resilience used, and in particular, no reports from the most vulnerable groups. This study aimed to examine the acute mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis as well as coping strategies employed by disadvantaged community members in North India.
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Purpose: People with disability in rural India face multiple barriers accessing healthcare; our hypothesis is that children with intellectual disability suffer the same but little is known about the barriers faced by them. The objectives... more
Purpose: People with disability in rural India face multiple barriers accessing healthcare; our hypothesis is that children with intellectual disability suffer the same but little is known about the barriers faced by them. The objectives of the study were to identify the health seeking behaviours of families with children with intellectual disabilities and the barriers they faced accessing healthcare. Methods: This qualitative study involved interviewing caregivers of children with intellectual disability from a pre-existing community development project in the Sahadoli Kadim block of rural Uttar Pradesh. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the local practitioners frequented by these caregivers.