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Thesis

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2014 - 20184
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Subject: Home Science × Start date: 2014 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    An exploratory study of perceived stress among students of selected State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) of Northern India
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Negi, Anjali; Kanwaljit Kaur
    The study was conducted to explore the extent of perceived stress among undergraduate and postgraduate students of four State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) namely Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (Punjab). Stratified Random Sampling technique was used to select a sample of 540 students consisting of 360 undergraduate and 180 postgraduate students of three colleges i.e. College of Agriculture, College of Home Science and College of Agricultural Engineering of selected universities. The data were collected through distributed questionnaire technique. A stress perception scale was developed to know the extent of perceived stress among students. The findings of the study revealed that percentage of the postgraduate students was towards higher side of the stress as compared to undergraduate students. A significant difference was also observed between undergraduate and postgraduate students in regard to their extent of perceived stress. A small percentage of the students had high academic performance while a majority had medium level of academic performance. Placements problems and high expectations of the parents were major sources of perceived stress in undergraduate as well as postgraduate students. Place of accommodation, parent’s education and father’s occupation were found to be significantly associated with extent of perceived stress of both undergraduate and postgraduate students while award of scholarship, family background, family type and order of birth had significant association with extent of perceived stress in postgraduate students. A positive and significant relationship was observed between family income and extent of perceived stress. Listening to music, seeking out friends for conversation, trying to come up with different possible solutions and looking on the bright side of the things were major stress coping strategies used by students. Alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, meditation and yoga were the least used coping strategies in both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Most of the students were using positive and healthy stress coping strategies to release stress. Students should be motivated to improve their academic performance. Postgraduate students should be counselled to minimize their stress. Awareness about different job opportunities after degree programme should be created among students. There is a need to strengthen counselling cell of the state agricultural universities. Parents should have realistic expectations from their children and they should try to understand their needs and capabilities. Higher earning families should spend quality time with their wards so that their children may not feel ignored and stressed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Developing Ergonomically Designed Kitchen Aid for Reducing Physiological Stress of Women Working in Standing Type Kitchen
    (PAU, 2014) Charu; Sandhu, Pushpinder
    The present study was undertaken to study the work, worker and workplace interfacing in selected standing type of kitchens of Ludhiana city; assess physiological stress caused thereof and to evaluate ergonomically designed kitchen aid for reducing stress of working in the kitchen. The study was conducted on 200 respondents from the age group of 35-55 years, selected purposively from two zones of Ludhiana city. Self Structured Interview Schedule was prepared and pretested to assess work, worker, and workplace interface. NIOSH Discomfort Survey and Rated Perceived Exertion were used to assess the physiological stress. On the basis of anthropometric measurements of the respondents a Kitchen Aid was designed and evaluated on 20 respondents in the department laboratory. Results revealed that majority of the respondents were suffering from back pain, joint pain and acute weakness while doing kitchen activities in standing posture. They were bending, and stretching while storing. Special cooking and dough kneading were perceived as complex activities whereas Chapatti making, special cooking and dish washing as time consuming activities. Curry making and pre preparation were found to be the most liked activities but majority of them were having discomfort while doing most of the kitchen activities however the intensity of discomfort was mild to moderate and duration was less than one hour in majority of the cases. In the observation of workplace it was found that very few respondents had kitchen size below the recommendation of National Building Code. Average height of cooking, preparation centre and sink were observed to be 85.30 cm, 85.73 cm and 85.85 cm respectively which were not according to anthropometric measurement of the respondents. On the basis of survey results a Kitchen Aid was designed and evaluated in laboratory. Significant reduction was observed in heart rate, energy expenditure, and physiological cost of work while doing chapatti making and dish washing without and with using the aid. Significant difference was also observed on Rated perceived exertion, Visual Analogue Discomfort, Overall Discomfort Rating and Rapid Entire Body Assessment scale. The aid found to be effective in reducing physiological stress among the selected subjects. However, there is a need to conduct more trials on larger sample and on more activities, to recommend the AID.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Impact assessment of MGNREGA consistent to its operational parameters in transforming quality of life of rural poor
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Balwinder Kaur; Randhawa, Varinder
    The study aimed at assessing impact of MGNREGA on the quality of life of its beneficiaries belonging to all three socio-cultural regions i.e. Majha, Malwa and Doaba of Punjab state. A total of 11 districts were selected for the study (7 from Malwa, 2 from Doaba and 2 from Majha region) through probability proportionate to size sampling procedure. Two blocks per district, two villages per block and nine beneficiaries per village were further selected to complete a sample of 396 beneficiaries and 44 functionaries for the study. Interview schedule in five parts was prepared to elicit information regarding socio-personal profile, implementation procedure, awareness of beneficiaries and functionaries, wage employment, wage differential and impact of the scheme improving quality of life. The major findings revealed some irregularity in implementation of MGNREGA such as late payments to workers, lack of worksite facilities, non-maintenance of work and complaint registers and nonconductance of social audit. Workers got maximum 40-45 days of work which was much below the prescribed 100 days of employment.Overall, the beneficiaries had medium level of awareness about the provisions of right to employment (X= 0.83), gram panchayat responsibilities (X= 0.98), work procedure and wage rates (X=0.75), wage disbursement information (X=1.06). Whereas, low level of awareness was observed for indicators such as implementation procedure (X=0.50) and social audit (X=0.32). Beneficiaries were found seldom not aware of the basic guidelines regarding wage structures and other legal entitlements such as unemployment allowance, reimbursement of medical bills, basic facilities etc. On the contrary, the functionaries were found highly aware about all the provisions under the act. Major activities undertaken in MGNREGA were tree plantation, land leveling and flood protection and there was no wage differential observed in the different districts of Punjab. The impact was mainly by way of acquiring material possessions, food consumption and housing and sanitary conditions. Non-significant impact was found as far as expenditure on education, clothing and social life aspects were concerned. To make the scheme successful in improving quality of life of rural poor, it is very necessary that they should regularly participate in programme and share their difficulties and complaints regarding implementation of scheme. So, it can therefore be concluded that awareness needs to be generated amongst the beneficiaries through mass media and other campaigns for effective implementation and success of the scheme.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    A study on design modifications in workspaces and tools for female wheelchair users
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Bisht, Deepika; Sidhu, Muninder Kaur
    Present study was carried out to identify the female wheelchair users, examine their participation and problems in household work, ergonomically evaluate work, worker and workspace interface. Modifications and evaluation of work spaces and tools was also done based on which design recommendations are given for female wheel chair users. Study was conducted in two phases: case study and laboratory experiments. Case study of 10 female wheelchair users was done using an interview schedule. Their work participation profile was observed for three consecutive days. On the basis of results of case study, two activities (peeling-chopping and knitting), two workspaces (kitchen counter and wheelchair) and two tools (peeler and knife) were selected for necessary modifications. Laboratory experiments were then conducted to modify and evaluate effectiveness of the workspaces and tools. A peeler with comfortable grip was selected, a rocking knife was fabricated, height of kitchen counter was reduced to 74 cm, a removable basket, backrest and additional cushioned seat were provided in the wheelchair. Pre-testing of the modified workspaces and tools resulted in two sets of modified working conditions (MC1 and MC2) for peeling and chopping activity. Experiments were conducted under simulated conditions on 25 normal women in the age group of 60 years and above. Results revealed that, for peeling-chopping activity, reduction in per cent increase in heart rate was found to be 2.68 while working in MC1 and 6.18 while working in MC2 over existing condition. During knitting, increase in heart rate while working in existing condition was 12.66 per cent over base and while working in modified condition the increase was found to be 11.40 per cent. Postural analysis through RULA and OWAS scores revealed that the postures adopted by subjects improved under modified conditions and were acceptable. Body discomfort was also reduced and no pain was felt by respondents while working under modified conditions. Majority of the subjects were satisfied and comfortable with the interventions.