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Biomedical subjects

V I Cherian

Publications and source records attributed to V I Cherian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Concepts and treatment for diabetes among traditional and faith healers in the northern province, South Africa.

The purpose of the study was to assess the concepts and treatment modalities for diabetes among traditional and faith healers in the Northern Province in South Africa. The sample consisted of 50 traditional healers (13 females and 37 males) and 50 faith healers (12 females and 38 males). They were interviewed on local terminology, clinical manifestations, causes, curability, and treatment for diabetes, help-seeking behaviour of diabetes patients, and the healers' sources of information about diabetes. Results indicate that all healers were familiar with "diabetes", however, not all of them had seen patients suffering from diabetes. The perceived causes of diabetes by both traditional and faith healers could be divided into (1) diet (especially too much of sugar), (2) heredity, (3) supernatural, and (4) psychological causes. Most traditional healers (92%) and faith healers (90%) indicated that diabetes is curable. Treatments used by the healers in this study included the use of prayer, diet, and herbs. The authors conclude that the concepts and treatment modalities for diabetes among traditional and faith healers should be taken note of by health workers while developing health education programmes in the Province.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Minor psychiatric morbidity in South African secondary school pupils.

This study investigated minor psychiatric morbidity ("neurotic": anxiety and depression symptoms) in rural (Black) South African secondary school pupils. The sample included 622 Grade 11 pupils (254 boys and 368 girls) in the age range of 17 to 24 years with a mean age of 19.3 yr. The inventories used were a questionnaire on the socioeconomic and family background, a Cultural Orientation Scale, a Student Stress Scale, a General Self-efficacy Scale, a Perceived Stress Scale, and the Self-reporting Questionnaire-20. The findings are that 12.6% of the pupils had a possible clinically significant psychological disorder. Contributing factors identified were interpersonal, study, finance, illness, perceived stress, low self-efficacy, and low religious orientation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

University students' adjustment problems.

Considerable information is available on the adjustment problems of first-year university students in developed countries, but comparatively little is known about such problems in Asia and Africa. This study of a representative sample of 1257 first-year students conducted at the University of the North showed that 33 to 85% of the first-year students experienced various adjustment problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

AIDS awareness of secondary school pupils in the northern province of South Africa.

This study investigated AIDS awareness in secondary school pupils (mainly Northern Sotho and Xitsonga) in the Northern Province of South Africa. The randomly chosen sample included 622 Standard 9 pupils (254 boys and 368 girls) in the age range of 17 to 24 years (M of 19.3), who were administered a questionnaire on awareness of AIDS and socioeconomic status. Over 72% of the questions about AIDS were correctly answered, which suggests a fair amount of accurate information about AIDS; however, 18% were of the opinion that "AIDS does not exist" and 19% that "there is a cure for AIDS." Analysis of variance indicated no relationships for sex, age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status with correct answers.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Brain fag symptoms in rural South African secondary school pupils.

The study investigated brain fag symptoms in rural South African Secondary School pupils. The sample included 622 Grade 11, Secondary School pupils in the age range of 17 to 24 years (M age 19.3 yr., SD = 2.6) chosen at random from schools throughout the Northern Province of South Africa. A Cultural Orientation Scale, a Student Stress Scale, a General Self-efficacy Scale and Self-reporting Questionnaire were administered to collect data on socioeconomic status, cultural orientation, stress events, self-efficacy, perceived stress, "neurotic" disorder, and brain fag symptoms. Analysis indicated that 25% of the pupils suffered from the brain fag symptoms. There were positive significant relations for collectivism, socioeconomic status, female birth order, depression score on the Self-reporting Questionnaire, total score but not the anxiety score of the questionnaire with brain fag symptoms. This suggests the brain fag syndrome is basically a depressive disorder and to some extent an anxiety and depressive disorder. The findings are discussed in relation to the nature of brain fag symptoms, precipitating factors, and socioeconomic status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Attitudes toward suicide among South African secondary school pupils.

This study investigated attitudes towards suicide among 622 Standard 9 (U.S. Grade 11) secondary school pupils chosen at random from schools throughout the Northern Province in South Africa. The pupils were 254 (41%) boys and 368 (59%) girls in the age range of 17 to 24 years, with a mean age of 19.3 yr. A questionnaire was administered to obtain data on attitudes and other measures. There were 31 (17%) parasuicidal boys and 34 (13%) girls. Major intentions or reasons to commit suicide mentioned were "failing to solve problems" and "mental illness." Most frequent possible suicide methods were firearms, pills, or poison. Significant associations were found with having a friend or relative who committed suicide, parasuicide (oneself), depression, stress events, ethnicity, and attitudes towards suicide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The factor-structure of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) in South Africa.

This study investigated the factor structure of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) on a sample of 624 standard nine (Grade 11) school pupils selected at random from the Northern Province of South Africa. Factor analysis technique was used to extract the factors of the SRQ-20. The findings which indicate the extraction of four factors; (i) anxiety-depression; (ii) depression; (iii) anxiety and; (iv) somatic complaints are discussed in relation to previous studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Family reading habits and academic achievement of children from polygynous, monogamous, divorced, and nondivorced families.

This study investigated the relationship between family reading habits and the academic achievement of 1021 Xhosa-speaking children whose mean age was 15.3 yr. A questionnaire was administered to identify each pupil's family status. Analysis of variance indicated positive and statistically significant main effects for the two variables on a reading habits score.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Relationship between parental aspiration and academic achievement of Xhosa children from broken and intact families.

This study concerned the relationship between parental aspiration and academic achievement of Xhosa pupils (369 boys and 652 girls) whose ages ranged from 13 to 17 years (mean age, 15.3 yr.). Children were chosen at random from the Standard 7/Year 9 population of Transkei. A questionnaire administered to parents or parent surrogates identified 242 children of parents divorced or separated and 713 from intact homes and obtained parental aspiration for the education of children. Analysis of variance showed significant effects of parental aspiration on academic achievement of children whether the children were from broken or intact homes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Self-reports of corporal punishment by Xhosa children from broken and intact families and their academic achievement.

The association of corporal punishment reported by 1021 pupils (369 boys and 652 girls) and their academic achievement was investigated. The sample included 242 children whose parents were divorced or separated and 713 children whose parents were neither divorced nor separated. Subjects were between 13 and 17 years old, with a mean age of 15.6 yr. They were chosen at random from the Standard 7/Year 9 population of Transkei, South Africa. A questionnaire yielded recalled frequencies of parental punishment. Analysis of variance indicated a significant negative association between parental punishment and academic achievement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Relation of parental education and life status to academic achievement by Xhosa children.

This study investigated the relationship between parental education and academic achievement of 1021 Xhosa pupils (369 boys and 652 girls) whose ages ranged from 13 to 17 years (M age, 15.6 yr.). The sample included 712 children for whom both parents were alive and 308 children for whom either or both parents were deceased. Children were chosen at random from the Standard 7/Year 9 population of Transkei, South Africa. A simple questionnaire was administered students to identify whether one or both parents were dead or both parents were living. A second questionnaire was administered parents or parent surrogates to obtain their formal education. The marks obtained by the pupils in the Standard 7 external examination conducted by the Department of Education of the Government of Transkei in seven subject areas were aggregated as the criterion measure. Analysis of variance showed significant effects of parental education on academic achievement of children regardless of whether the children's parents were deceased or alive.

Achievement↗