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ICMR plans to conduct research on social and behavioural issues

Ramesh Shankar, MumbaiMonday, August 8, 2011, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is planning to conduct single center/multicentric research on social and behavioural issues in the six broad areas of Delivery and utilization of health services and newer technologies, Gender issues and reproductive health, Adolescents’ behaviours and health issues, Diseases with stigma, Health equity and Life style associated diseases and health.

ICMR has already invited concept proposals in the above areas. Those submitting the concept proposals/proposals must be working in a permanent faculty position in a medical college, university, research institution of government or NGOs recognized as research bodies.

The ICMR is focusing on Delivery and Utilization of Health Services and Newer Technologies as it feels that utilization of services by the communities is affected not only by their own perceptions and beliefs about the diseases, the treatment, and service providers but also the manner in which services are organized and delivered to the people. Distance to service facility, timing, range of services & provision for supplies, sex and behaviour of the providers etc. become important factors for people of different sections of society and gender accessing the services.

It will also focus on Gender Issues and Reproductive Health because due to policy shift, the issues such as women reproductive rights, informed choice, right to information, right to decide, right to effective and accessible services and right against harmful practices have come to occupy the centre stage. Discrimination against women in health provisions, violence against women (physical, sexual and psychological), unsafe abortion, maternal mortality, use of contraception, STDs, reproductive health issues and population control and problems peculiar to women’s health are the issues agitating the minds of the policy makers. In view of the magnitude of the problem and consequent adverse effects on the reproductive and psychological health of the women, there is need to understand the psychosocial dynamics so as to plan the strategies to raise the status of women and empower them. All these call for a social and behavioural research input to understand the various aspects involved.

The study will focus on Adolescent’s Behaviours & Health Issues as  adolescents, who constitute about 22 per cent of population and have been recognized both nationally and internationally as an important and critical group of population. The reproductive health matters including sexuality of adolescent is a very major area of concern. Other issues concerning this group are adjustment, stress, substance use, early marriage and pregnancy, social and sexual abuse, STDs, reproductive health and hygiene, risk taking behaviours including accidents and injuries. There is a need to understand the awareness and other social and psychological dynamics so as to plan effective service programmes including sex education and other counseling interventions for this group of population.

Diseases with Stigma has also been included for study as diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and leprosy which have stigma associated with them pose peculiar and serious difficulties to both the patients as well as the health services and providers of services. Denial of the disease and not seeking the services and desertions of patients by the families for fear of stigma and infection further complicate the problem. Lack of privacy of services and confidentiality of diagnosis are deterrents for seeking the services. Social and behavioural research on different aspects of these diseases should provide leads for planning effective intervention strategies to combat stigma and ensure effective treatment for the diseases.

The study will also focus on Health Equity as equity in health is not only an issue for equitable delivery, access and utilization of health services for social justice but also for better health of all in the society particularly the vulnerables, which should raise their productivity and quality of life. Social and behavioural research on all the related issues should guide the policy and programme formulation to achieve the goals of better health and social justice.

Besides, the study will focus on Life Style associated Diseases and Health as the burden of diseases related to the life styles is on the rise. Some of the health issues in this area, where social and behavioural research has important role to play, are psychosocial health, alcoholism, drug addiction, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and obesity etc. among different population groups in different regions which have strong life-style associations. Social and behavioural research aimed at diagnosing the problems and preventive interventions in these areas will benefit the policy and programme and ultimately the community.

 
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