Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Harprit Kaur ¹, Neeru ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, IN

Abstract

During the management of HIV patients the role of social support, specifically of that of the family is crucial; yet it is equally significant that the impact of this illness is not just on the patient but has far reaching implications for the whole family unit. Gender determines the role as well as the privileges enjoyed by the family member who is a patient; this is particularly evident in the Indian context wherein gender differentiation is marked. Estimates from the World Health Organization (2003) indicate that only about 50% of patients with chrome diseases living in developed countries follow treatment recommendations, the state of Compliance ma nation like ours is bound to be alarming too. Thus the present study evaluated the impact of adherence to medication and gender on family pathology. For this purpose, sixty male and female HIV patients were examined for family pathology while comparing the adherent and non-adherent groups. The paper discusses implications of the results obtained.

Keywords

Adherence, HIV, Family Pathology.

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Neeru ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, IN

Abstract

Severe Acute Malnutrition, both medical and social disorder, is specifically associated with loss of body fat and wasting of skeletal muscles. Besides, socio-economic and poor economic conditions factors viz. poverty, social exclusion, poor public health, lack of exclusive breast feeding are leading causes for occurrence of SAM. Infants are most vulnerable as their nutritional needs are higher for growth and development. Till 70s case-fatality rates for SAM were higher, but, with the laying down of WHO guidelines there were drastic improvements. Under these guidelines, besides medical treatment, importance of environment and psychosocial interventions was also stressed upon. Later, a community-based model was laid down which was basically a framework for an integrated public health response to acute malnutrition, treating most patients as outpatients and reserving inpatient care for patients with complications. These guidelines were well accepted and adopted nationally and internationally This approach management was divided into initial, rehabilitation and follow-up phases and has been found very effective in reducing SAM mortality. Therefore with an effective community based program for early detection and treatment, most children with SAM can be cared for at home itself and these community care centres can be reserved for children with SAM with medical complications.

Keywords

Severe Acute Malnutrition, Infants, Mortality, Community Based Therapeutic Care.

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