Gender Disparities
Impact of Information, Communication and Technology on Elderly Women Health Care Status in Lucknow, India
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Drsaswatee Rath
The elderly women in Lucknow (India) have been excluded from the health care facility compared to men due to contextual disadvantages such as widow, socio-economic disparity, cultural settings, religious bias,caste discrimination and patriarchal domination. It has observed that the majorities of the illiterate elder females were lives in the city have deprived of basic rights. They get less privilege to assess the health information in public domain compare to literate women. The health information, communication and technology (HICT) has given a new choice to availability and the accessibility of health care information. Technology has given a new hope of life. It helps to know the medical facility available in city, symptoms of illness and choice for alternative cure. There is a gap between literate elderly women and illiterate women in terms of accessibility and healthcare information. Both literate and illiterate women are taking the help of digital technology but literat e benefits directly and illiterate takes the help of younger generation. The elderly women of Lucknow are pro-technology. They search for health information through digital device such as mobile phone, computer. The impact of National urban Health Mission (NRHM) policy and its Mobile heath unite (MHU) has improved the health status of elderly women. It has promotes the health information technology (HIT). Health policy for elderly women should be focused on pro-women, pro-technology and affordability. This paper tries to find out the impact of technology on elderly women in form of health care facility and accessibility through digital technology.
Impact of BIO Girls Participation on Health-related Quality of Life and Self-esteem
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Anita M. Gust
Low self-esteem is problematic for many adolescent girls, yet may be improved through interventions and programs involving mentorship and/or physical activity. Outcomes of a program for girls age 7-12, titled BIO (Beautiful Inside and Out) Girls, involving mentorship, physical activity, and Christian-based lessons was evaluated. Utilizing a pretest/post-test study design, researchers administered questionnaires (KINDL-R: Revised questionnaire to assess Health-Related Quality of Life in children and adolescents) during pre- and post-program sessions to each girl participant (n=169) and a parent (n=159) across eight site locations. Paired sample statistical analysis revealed significant improvements on survey scores from pre- to post- program for girls’ total survey score (M=3.12, SD=.46, M=4.03, SD=.50), t(168)=-16.14, p<0.001; physical well-being (M=2.73, SD=.87, M=4.02, SD=.63), t(168)=-15.85, p<0.001), emotional well-being (M=2.73, SD=.87, M=4.27, SD=.59), t(168)=-18.64, p<0.001), family life (M=3.44, SD=.44, M=4.20, SD=.67), t(168)=-12.11, p<0.001), and school life (M=3.13, SD=.60, M=3.92, SD=.50), t(168)=-10.26., p<0.001. Results of the parent surveys revealed significant improvements on total survey score, (M=3.05, SD=.22, M=4.15, SD=.46), t(158)=-28.83, p<0.001, physical well-being (M=2.42, SD=.44, M=4.16, SD=.58), t(158)=-28.59, p<0.001, emotional well-being (M=2.41, SD=.42, M=4.40, SD=.53), t(158)=-33.50, p<0.001, self-esteem (M=3.64, SD=.52, M=3.94, SD=.55), t(158)=-6.41, p<0.001, family life (M=3.34, SD=.29, M=4.02, SD=.62) t=-11.99, p<0.001, and school life (M=2.96, SD=.41, M=4.24, SD=.70), t=-20.50, p<0.001). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no main effects for age or site location on survey or sub-scale scores. Participation in a curriculum-based physical activity program resulted in positive improvements in quality of life and overall well-being for young girls.
