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ThesisItem Restricted 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 KaurThe 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.ThesisItem Restricted Effectiveness of social advertisement in promoting adoption of health and hygiene practices by rural women(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Bhalla, Sumita; Sharma, PreetiThe present investigation entitled “Effectiveness of social advertisement in promoting adoption of health and hygiene practices by rural women” was conducted with the objectives to study the TV viewing behaviour of rural women regarding social advertisement on health and hygiene practices, to explore the opinion of rural women about the quality of social advertisement, to assess the effectiveness of social advertisement in promoting adoption of selected health and hygiene practices.The study was conducted in purposively selected two districts of Punjab. The most frequently telecasted five social advertisements during the month of June, 2017 were selected after consultation with experts. Data was collected from 160 purposively selected rural women using pre-tested structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents had medium to high level of exposure to mass media. Majority of the respondents had moderate (71.88%) level of TV viewing behaviour. Almost all the respondents perceived time of the social advertisements on pregnancy check-up (95.00%) and immunization (96.25%) appropriate. The duration and frequency of social advertisement on immunization was found appropriate by almost all the respondents. Almost all the respondents opined all the selected social advertisements having appropriate information quality and perceived appropriate use of language, attractive and action oriented presentation of social advertisements. The most liked social advertisement was on pregnancy check-up. Regarding the effectiveness of social advertisement, most of the respondents reached to adoption stage of keeping the environment clean (91.25%) followed by immunizing their children (83.13%), breast feeding (66.38%) and use of ORS/Zinc during diarrhoea (42.50%). A positive relationship was found between TV viewing behaviour for social advertisements and the adoption of selected health and hygiene practices.ThesisItem Open Access Information-seeking behaviour of women regarding health and hygiene practices(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Loveleen Kaur; Sukhjeet KaurThe present study was undertaken with the objectives to identify the information-seeking behaviour of women regarding health and hygiene practices, to determine the problems in information-seeking and to ascertain the association of information-seeking behaviour of women with their personal and socio-economic characteristics. The study was conducted in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Two blocks and two zones were selected purposively from Ludhiana district. Further two villages from each block and two localities from each zone were selected randomly. Twenty five women from each selected village as well as from each locality in the age of 25-50 years were selected on random basis. Thus total 200 women formed the sample for the study. Health and hygiene practices were studied under three categories as personal, food related and household health and hygiene practices. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents had low information needs for selected health and hygiene practices. Use of all information sources by most of the respondents was found to be low for seeking information on all health and hygiene practices while informal sources were the most frequently used sources of information. Information sources were never evaluated by the majority of the respondents while looking for information on household and food related health and hygiene practices, and were sometimes evaluated by them in case of personal and overall health and hygiene practices. Equal proportion of the respondents had active and passive information-seeking behaviour regarding personal health and hygiene practices, and active information-seeking behaviour for household and overall health and hygiene practices. In case of food related health and hygiene practices, majority of the respondents possessed passive information-seeking behaviour. Major problems faced by the respondents related to informal, formal, print and electronic sources were unreliability, expensiveness, non-availability and lack of knowledge in using source. Information-seeking behaviour of the respondents was significantly associated with their education, family income and mass media exposure.ThesisItem Restricted Use of information communication technology by extension personnel of Krishi Vigyan Kendras : a comparative study(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Sulibhavimath, Arjun; Sharma, PreetiThe present investigation entitled “Use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) by KVK extension personnel of Krishi Vigyan Kendras: A comparative study” was conducted with the objective to compare the extent of use of ICT by KVK extension personnel of Punjab and Karnataka for acquiring & disseminating the knowledge, to explore the opinion and problems faced by the KVK extension personnel in using ICT for acquiring and disseminating the knowledge and to seek suggestions of KVK extension personnel in enhancing the use of ICT. The study was conducted in selected KVKs of Punjab and Karnataka. Fifty percent of KVKs were randomly selected from both the states. From Punjab, out of 17 KVKs nine and from Karnataka, out of 30 KVKs fifteen KVKs were selected. All the extension personnel in position at the time of investigation were taken from the selected KVKs. Thus 51 respondents from Punjab and 73 respondents from Karnataka totalling to 124 respondents formed the sample for the study. The data was collected through structured interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the KVK extension personnel of both the states were in the age group of 36-47 years having Ph.D degree, majority were males and belonged to rural family background. Very few percentage of the respondents of both the states attended trainings on ICT. Majority of the KVK extension personnel of both the states always used google search engine for acquiring knowledge under different purposes. Majority of the respondents of both the states always used telephone/ mobile phone, camera, SMS service system and whatsapp (social media application) for disseminating knowledge to farmers. Overall there was positive opinion of KVK extension personnel towards the use of ICTs. All of the respondents were agreed upon various benefits of ICTs. Inadequate training on ICT tools, lack of communication infrastructure and lack of sufficient number of computers were considered as major problems by majority of the respondents. This study suggested that the KVK extension personnel of both the states needed more trainings on ICT and more budget to improve ICT infrastructure for efficient use of ICT.ThesisItem Open Access Simulation of Anasazi ceramic patterns for designing printed tunics(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Garcha, Jagriti Kaur; Saini, Harminder KaurThe investigation entitled “Simulation of Anasazi ceramic patterns for designing printed tunics” was carried out in Ludhiana city. Forty patterns of Anasazi ceramics were collected through secondary sources out of which thirty patterns were selected to be used for simulation. These selected Anasazi patterns were used for developing 15 designs of tunics with two variations of each through CAD. An interview schedule was prepared for the purpose of collecting data from 90 college going girls between the age group of 18-22 years, selected randomly from three colleges of Ludhiana city. The results pertaining to the preferences of the respondents regarding developed designs shows that tunic designs A1, B1, C2, D1, E1, F1, G1, H1, I1, K1, J2, L1, M1, N1 and O1 with first rank were selected out of two variations of each design. Out of 15 selected first ranked designs of tunics, design F1 was most preferred with mean score of 11.18 and was given first rank. Design M1, A1, L1 and G1 were given second, third, fourth and fifth rank with mean score of 9.88, 9.71, 8.95 and 8.74, respectively. Silk fabric was most preferred by the respondents with mean score of 3.67 followed by crepe with the mean score of 2.61. Selected tunic designs were printed using screens and stencils. Printed tunics were then constructed using measurements of 36” size dress form. Developed tunic designs were evaluated by sub sample of 30 respondents on the basis of design, fabric type, silhouette and overall appearance. It was found that tunic design A1 was given first rank on the basis of all the parameters. Majority of the respondents rated the prepared tunics as very good. The largest percentage of the respondents considers the quoted price of tunics as ‘adequate’.ThesisItem Restricted Designing of one piece dresses from used jeans(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Jasleen Kaur; Mahajan, SurabhiThe present investigation was undertaken to study the reutilization of old jeans for making one piece dresses. The study was conducted on the college going girls in three different colleges of Punjab Agricultural University. An interview schedule was used for collecting data from ninety respondents regarding the preferences for the silhouettes and embellishments of one piece dresses to be prepared from used jeans. The results of the investigation were interpreted using percentages, mean scores and chi-square. The results of the collected data revealed that most preferred silhouette types were shirt, wrap, a-line, sheath and princess line. Printing and trimmings were the most preferred embellishment type to be placed on neck and waist. Majority of respondents preferred white, pink, light purple, light green and black as the colour of the embellishment. Fifteen designs were developed using most preferred silhouettes, type, colour and placement of embellishments in CorelDraw X7. Five most preferred designs by the experts were selected and constructed. The constructed dresses were evaluated by the respondents on the basis of their overall appearance on a five point scale. Most of the respondents considered the prepared dresses as excellent and very good. Maximum number of respondents liked the idea of reutilization of jeans for making one piece dresses. Also, majority of the respondents considered the estimated price of the dresses as adequate. An effort was also made to assess the market price of prepared one piece dresses and the result showed that all the constructed one piece dresses were saleable within a selling price range `1000-1800.ThesisItem Open 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, VarinderThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access A study on design modifications in workspaces and tools for female wheelchair users(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Bisht, Deepika; Sidhu, Muninder KaurPresent 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.
