SOCIAL ISSUES-AFFECTING-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NURSING

POVERTY

According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. Around 27-28 percent of
all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. Nearly a
billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Infectious diseases continue to blight the lives of the poor across the world. Some 1.1 billion
people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic
sanitation.1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity.

ABUSES

Child abuse, Women abuse, Elderly abuse, Women empowerment, Commercial sex workers,
Food adulteration, Crime, Substance abuse

Women Abuse

Women abuse is defined as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to
result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to a woman, whether occurring
in public or private life”. (Cited by Gomez, 1996)

Forms of women abuse: Domestic Violence Domestic Violence in the Marital Relationship
Dowry Harassment, Sexual Harassment at Work, Sale of Wife, Eve Teasing

CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse can be defined as “a variety of abnormal behaviours directed against children,
which can take many forms”

Statistics of child abuse 1.Two out of every three children were physically abused. 2 Out of
69% children physically abused 54.68% were boys. 3 Out of those children physically abused
in family situations, 88.6% were physically abused by parents.

Predisposing factors to child abuse

The abused childhood, Family stress, substance abuse Social forces.

Forms of child abuse

Child sexual abuse, Physical abuse, Child neglect, Emotional neglect Prevention of child
abuse: The education to kids, Psychiatric help to the abuser, Reporting of child sexual abuse,
Parental education.

Elderly Abuse
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Definition: “A non-accidental act or omission, which undermines the life, the physical and
psychological integrity of an older person or harms the development of his/her personality or
damage his/her financial security”

Types of elderly abuse, financial abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Neglect and
indifference

Possible Solution for elderly abuse

Social support, Care givers, social workers and volunteers need to reach out to old people
who are neglected/abused, Counselling should be given to family members, Counselling to
elderly.

Female Foeticide

Female foeticide: Girls are considered as burden in some families even in this technological
era. They prefer male children to female children. The united Nation says an estimated 2,000
unborn girls are aborted every day in India. The government has enacted the pre-natal
diagnostic techniques act in 1994 , the situation far from improving ,further worsened. It is
ironic to see that maximum sex-selective abortions are performed by lady doctors.

COMMERCIAL SEX WORKERS

Definition: “Prostitution is defined as an act of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for

money or goods.” ELLIOT &MERRILL

Driving Factors of Prostitution

Poverty, Broken homes, Mental illness, Uneducated women, Widows and divorcees,
Prestigious life, Over sexual desires, Indebtedness, False hope of marriage Influence of peer
group

Types of Prostitution:

Street Prostitution, Escort or out-call Prostitution, Sex tourism Ritualized Prostitution

Control of Prostitution

Sex education, Change of rigid social customs, Job opportunities Social education
&propaganda, adequate legislation, Rehabilitation

Women empowerment

Empowerment is a multi-faceted , multi-dimensional and multi- layered concept. Women’s

empowerment is a process in which women gain greater share of control over resources in the
home, community, society and nation to gain power.

Definition “Empowerment means moving from a position of enforced powerlessness to one

of power”

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Problems faced by women, Educational problems, Occupational problems, Health problems,
Early marriage, Female feticide, Dowry system, Transportation problems

Indicators of Women Empowerment 1. Increase in self-esteem. 2. Increase in knowledge and

awareness. 3. Increase in personal leisure time. 4. Change in roles and responsibility in family
& community. 5. Visible decrease in violence on women and girls. 6. Increase in bargaining
and negotiating power . 7. Increase access to and ability to gather information. 8. Positive
changes in social attitudes. 9. Women's decision-making over her work and income.

Measures to Improve Women Empowerment

Education, Political Participation, Decision-Making, Self Help Groups, Violence Control

Measures, Ownership of Land, State Initiatives, Central initiatives

Food Adulteration

Definition: “Food adulteration is the process of addition of an impure, cheap or unnecessary

ingredient to cheat with, cheapen or falsify a preparation.”

Food adulterant: Any material which is or could be employed for the purposes of adulteration
is known as adulterant.

Concept of adulteration

If the article sold is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser. If any
inferior or cheaper substances has been substituted. If any constituent of the article has been
extracted. If the article has been prepared, packed or kept under unsanitary conditions. If the
article is obtained from a diseased animal. If the article contain any prohibited preservative. If
the quality of the article falls below the prescribed standards.

Crime

Definition : “Crime is an antisocial behaviour that has violated public sentiments certain
extent and forbidden by status” Barnes Crime

Factors contributing to crime: Physical factors Physiological factors, Hereditary factors

Social factors, Political factors, Environmental factors , Familial factors, Economic factors,
Task shifting

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Using of substances for pleasure is increasing day by day in the modern society, as a mark of
fashion. The chronic usage of addictive substances creates chronic physical and
psychological problems among individuals and also has an impact on society.

Substance abuse can be defined as using a drug in a way that it is inconsistent with medical or
social norms and despite negative consequences.” W.H.O Causes of Substance abuse:
Biological causes, Psychological causes, Social causes.

Biological Risk Factors

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Family history of Substance abuse, Personality disorders, Co-morbid medical disorders, Re-
enforcing effects of drugs, Withdrawal effects and craving

Biochemical factors.

Psychological causes, Curiosity, Poor impulse control, Low self- esteem, Poor stress
management skills, Childhood trauma, Psychological distress, Reaction to neglect

Social causes

Peer group pressure, Modelling, Easy availability of alcohol and drugs, Family conflicts
Religious reasons, Unemployment, Poor social support

Commonly used substances:

Alcohol, Opioids, Cannabinoids, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Hallucinogens, Barbiturates

Inhalants, Nicotine, Other stimulants

Control of Substance abuse:

Primary prevention: Provision of happy and healthy family life, Establishment of healthy
parent-child relationship, Provision of love and care to the children, Show interest towards
the child’s activities, Offer counselling to the teenagers Reduce the availability of drugs
Legislation

Secondary prevention: Closely monitor the changes in the behaviour of an individual. Early
detection and treatment of addicts. Establishment of de-addiction centres, after care centres
and day care centres. Proper treatment and specific therapies should be given to prevent
complication of disease.

Tertiary prevention: Provision of treatment in the state of severe dependence. Provision of

rehabilitation measures for the drug addicts. Involvement of family in the restorative and
rehabilitative activities. Involvement of social agencies for the rehabilitation.