debolina chatterjee | St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (original) (raw)
Papers by debolina chatterjee
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, Jul 31, 2022
Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums o... more Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums offer scope to understand violence as intertwined with specific material and social configurations. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of domestic violence among women and the scope for public health intervention in the context of the realities of a slum. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through narrative interviews of 30 married women residing in a slum in the Indian city of Kolkata using an unstructured interview schedule. Results: A thematic analysis revealed that all the women faced both physical and sexual violence in their day-today lives. The trajectories of the violence could be traced through their early marriage, lack of financial autonomy, and absence of control over their bodies. Women reported pain and physical injuries, as well as gynecological health problems due to routine violence. It also took an adverse toll on their mental health. There was a dearth of effective community-based help-seeking resources. Conclusions: The study concludes that there is a need for moving beyond solely a justice system approach to more integrative models of promoting health in addressing the issue of domestic violence.
Prison healthcare assumes significance as prisons are characterized by disharmony between goals o... more Prison healthcare assumes significance as prisons are characterized by disharmony between goals of penal and medical agenda. The present study aimed at understanding the healthcare delivery mechanisms across three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 90 imprisoned women to analyze their experiences of accessing healthcare and assess their satisfaction with the treatment received. While 42.2 percent of the women perceived healthcare accessibility to be easy, 30 percent expressed satisfaction with the treatment received. A perceived deterioration of health post-imprisonment was found among 67.77 percent. The study revealed how prison environments and practices infiltrate healthcare delivery patterns and have direct implications for the health of women. The paper recommends the delivery of a holistic model of correctional healthcare that is sensitive to the gender-specific needs of women.
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges in the care of older adults. During the first surge... more COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges in the care of older adults. During the first surge of the pandemic, governments all over the world struggled with high disease severity and increased mortality among older adults.
This work documents the impact of the pandemic by collating information from different countries and by synthesizing inputs from several knowledge domains—Sociology, Gerontology, Geriatrics, Medicine and Public Health. The impact on older adults is examined primarily with respect to three main issues—pervasive ageism, spread of infections in care homes worldwide, and the unintended harm of public health measures on geriatric population in different care settings. The complex tensions between epidemic control and the need to respond to social and economic imperatives are investigated with respect to disadvantaged and vulnerable older adults. The book also critically examines international ageing policies with the intention of identifying gaps in pandemic response in particular, and approaches to older adult care in general. In the light of the evidence presented, lessons are drawn which might improve aged care and strengthen emergency preparedness. Finally, considering the evolving nature of the pandemic, new international responses to older adult care and pandemic management are presented as an epilogue.
It is anticipated that the book would help nourish critical thinking and implement new solutions to older care during and beyond the pandemic
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
Research in the Sociology of Health Care, 2020
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2019
Purpose Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one’s body and health with or without... more Purpose Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one’s body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the “labour” allotted to them. Pr...
The Prison Journal, 2017
This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female priso... more This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female prisoners’ choices in food consumption and excluding them from active roles in cooking. Narratives of women in three prisons of India have been used to analyze their experiences with prison food. A majority of inmates perceived food as negatively affecting their health during imprisonment. Some were found to use it as a medium to recreate special identities for themselves, contesting the power of the prison. The study suggests the need for better articulation of the intricate relationship between power, health, and food in Indian prison settings.
Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 2017
India presently houses nearly 103.8 million persons who are above 60 years of age, a rise of 27.2... more India presently houses nearly 103.8 million persons who are above 60 years of age, a rise of 27.2 million from the past census record of 2001. [1] Although its end-of-life care (EoLC) situation has persistently received poor ranking in the quality of death index, commissioned by Lien Foundation, [2,3] it has failed to evoke sufficient academic interest to explore the gaps associated with EoLC settings such as private homes. Policies for the elderly in India such as the National Policy for Older Persons (1999), the National Policy for the Senior Citizens (2011), and the National Policy for the Health Care of the Elderly (2011) have largely overlooked the importance of private homes as dying spaces. Private homes have been looked at from the perspective of aging, rather than dying, and interstate differences in demographic features-basic EoLC infrastructure, political context, and ideology-which impose special challenges in providing care at private homes to the dying elderly have not received adequate and equal attention. As a result, some states like Kerala have done well, while others have shown no improvement in EoLC delivery. Kolkata, the metropolitan city of West Bengal in India, has a high share of elderly population. However, the health delivery system of Kolkata is not geared for elder care and is reflective of the poor health infrastructure in the entire state of West Bengal. West Bengal is considered one of the rapidly aging states in India. [4] The expected lifespan of the people in West Bengal is projected to remain higher (at 69 years, in 2006-2010) than the national average. A survey to explore the status of the elderly in West Bengal revealed that 10.6% and 12.7% of the surveyed elderly (N = 1275) in urban and rural areas of West Bengal, respectively, required full/partial assistance in at least one activities of daily living (ADL) domain and indicated the growing incidence of loss of ability for ADL at higher age. The survey also showed low functionality in instrumental ADL (IADL). [5] The elderly in West Bengal suffered from higher locomotor disability and psychological stress compared to the other six states in the study. [6] In another large-scale survey, [7] it was found that, in West Bengal, nearly two-thirds and one-third of the sample population of 1173 people above 50 years of age reported requiring assistance in ADL and IADL, respectively, thereby
Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 2016
Different studies and reports prove that the elderly in India suffer from serious ailments, poor ... more Different studies and reports prove that the elderly in India suffer from serious ailments, poor physical mobility, and disability. [2,4,5] Context Given such a dismal picture, palliative home-based care is likely to be a suitable model to serve the needs of elderly experiencing chronicity and functional
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health
Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums o... more Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums offer scope to understand violence as intertwined with specific material and social configurations. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of domestic violence among women and the scope for public health intervention in the context of the realities of a slum.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through narrative interviews of 30 married women residing in a slum in the Indian city of Kolkata using an unstructured interview schedule.Results: A thematic analysis revealed that all the women faced both physical and sexual violence in their day-to-day lives. The trajectories of the violence could be traced through their early marriage, lack of financial autonomy, and absence of control over their bodies. Women reported pain and physical injuries, as well as gynecological health problems due to routine violence. It also took an adverse toll on their mental health. There was a dea...
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2020
Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without... more Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach-Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings-Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the ''labour'' allotted to them. Practical implications-The paper concludes that abilities to self-care have a deep impact on the health of women, which if not facilitated will lead to a health depleting experience. At a time when Indian prisons are focussing on rehabilitation, the recommendations for providing opportunities for self-care in prisons can minimize the ''pains'' of imprisonment and pave the way for rehabilitation. Originality/value-The research is based on data collected during original fieldwork conducted in three prisons in West Bengal, India. It provides valuable insights on how penal environments affect self-care opportunities of imprisoned women.
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2020
Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without... more Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach-Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings-Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the "labour" allotted to them. Practical implications-The paper concludes that abilities to self-care have a deep impact on the health of women, which if not facilitated will lead to a health depleting experience. At a time when Indian prisons are focussing on rehabilitation, the recommendations for providing opportunities for self-care in prisons can minimize the "pains" of imprisonment and pave the way for rehabilitation. Originality/value-The research is based on data collected during original fieldwork conducted in three prisons in West Bengal, India. It provides valuable insights on how penal environments affect self-care opportunities of imprisoned women.
This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female priso... more This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female prisoners' choices in food consumption and excluding them from active roles in cooking. Narratives of women in three prisons of India have been used to analyze their experiences with prison food. A majority of inmates perceived food as negatively affecting their health during imprisonment. Some were found to use it as a medium to recreate special identities for themselves, contesting the power of the prison. The study suggests the need for better articulation of the intricate relationship between power, health, and food in Indian prison settings.
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, Jul 31, 2022
Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums o... more Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums offer scope to understand violence as intertwined with specific material and social configurations. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of domestic violence among women and the scope for public health intervention in the context of the realities of a slum. Methods: Qualitative data were collected through narrative interviews of 30 married women residing in a slum in the Indian city of Kolkata using an unstructured interview schedule. Results: A thematic analysis revealed that all the women faced both physical and sexual violence in their day-today lives. The trajectories of the violence could be traced through their early marriage, lack of financial autonomy, and absence of control over their bodies. Women reported pain and physical injuries, as well as gynecological health problems due to routine violence. It also took an adverse toll on their mental health. There was a dearth of effective community-based help-seeking resources. Conclusions: The study concludes that there is a need for moving beyond solely a justice system approach to more integrative models of promoting health in addressing the issue of domestic violence.
Prison healthcare assumes significance as prisons are characterized by disharmony between goals o... more Prison healthcare assumes significance as prisons are characterized by disharmony between goals of penal and medical agenda. The present study aimed at understanding the healthcare delivery mechanisms across three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 90 imprisoned women to analyze their experiences of accessing healthcare and assess their satisfaction with the treatment received. While 42.2 percent of the women perceived healthcare accessibility to be easy, 30 percent expressed satisfaction with the treatment received. A perceived deterioration of health post-imprisonment was found among 67.77 percent. The study revealed how prison environments and practices infiltrate healthcare delivery patterns and have direct implications for the health of women. The paper recommends the delivery of a holistic model of correctional healthcare that is sensitive to the gender-specific needs of women.
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges in the care of older adults. During the first surge... more COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges in the care of older adults. During the first surge of the pandemic, governments all over the world struggled with high disease severity and increased mortality among older adults.
This work documents the impact of the pandemic by collating information from different countries and by synthesizing inputs from several knowledge domains—Sociology, Gerontology, Geriatrics, Medicine and Public Health. The impact on older adults is examined primarily with respect to three main issues—pervasive ageism, spread of infections in care homes worldwide, and the unintended harm of public health measures on geriatric population in different care settings. The complex tensions between epidemic control and the need to respond to social and economic imperatives are investigated with respect to disadvantaged and vulnerable older adults. The book also critically examines international ageing policies with the intention of identifying gaps in pandemic response in particular, and approaches to older adult care in general. In the light of the evidence presented, lessons are drawn which might improve aged care and strengthen emergency preparedness. Finally, considering the evolving nature of the pandemic, new international responses to older adult care and pandemic management are presented as an epilogue.
It is anticipated that the book would help nourish critical thinking and implement new solutions to older care during and beyond the pandemic
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
COVID-19, Older Adults and the Ageing Society, 2022
Research in the Sociology of Health Care, 2020
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2019
Purpose Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one’s body and health with or without... more Purpose Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one’s body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the “labour” allotted to them. Pr...
The Prison Journal, 2017
This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female priso... more This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female prisoners’ choices in food consumption and excluding them from active roles in cooking. Narratives of women in three prisons of India have been used to analyze their experiences with prison food. A majority of inmates perceived food as negatively affecting their health during imprisonment. Some were found to use it as a medium to recreate special identities for themselves, contesting the power of the prison. The study suggests the need for better articulation of the intricate relationship between power, health, and food in Indian prison settings.
Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 2017
India presently houses nearly 103.8 million persons who are above 60 years of age, a rise of 27.2... more India presently houses nearly 103.8 million persons who are above 60 years of age, a rise of 27.2 million from the past census record of 2001. [1] Although its end-of-life care (EoLC) situation has persistently received poor ranking in the quality of death index, commissioned by Lien Foundation, [2,3] it has failed to evoke sufficient academic interest to explore the gaps associated with EoLC settings such as private homes. Policies for the elderly in India such as the National Policy for Older Persons (1999), the National Policy for the Senior Citizens (2011), and the National Policy for the Health Care of the Elderly (2011) have largely overlooked the importance of private homes as dying spaces. Private homes have been looked at from the perspective of aging, rather than dying, and interstate differences in demographic features-basic EoLC infrastructure, political context, and ideology-which impose special challenges in providing care at private homes to the dying elderly have not received adequate and equal attention. As a result, some states like Kerala have done well, while others have shown no improvement in EoLC delivery. Kolkata, the metropolitan city of West Bengal in India, has a high share of elderly population. However, the health delivery system of Kolkata is not geared for elder care and is reflective of the poor health infrastructure in the entire state of West Bengal. West Bengal is considered one of the rapidly aging states in India. [4] The expected lifespan of the people in West Bengal is projected to remain higher (at 69 years, in 2006-2010) than the national average. A survey to explore the status of the elderly in West Bengal revealed that 10.6% and 12.7% of the surveyed elderly (N = 1275) in urban and rural areas of West Bengal, respectively, required full/partial assistance in at least one activities of daily living (ADL) domain and indicated the growing incidence of loss of ability for ADL at higher age. The survey also showed low functionality in instrumental ADL (IADL). [5] The elderly in West Bengal suffered from higher locomotor disability and psychological stress compared to the other six states in the study. [6] In another large-scale survey, [7] it was found that, in West Bengal, nearly two-thirds and one-third of the sample population of 1173 people above 50 years of age reported requiring assistance in ADL and IADL, respectively, thereby
Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 2016
Different studies and reports prove that the elderly in India suffer from serious ailments, poor ... more Different studies and reports prove that the elderly in India suffer from serious ailments, poor physical mobility, and disability. [2,4,5] Context Given such a dismal picture, palliative home-based care is likely to be a suitable model to serve the needs of elderly experiencing chronicity and functional
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health
Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums o... more Background: Domestic violence is a major human rights violation and public health crisis. Slums offer scope to understand violence as intertwined with specific material and social configurations. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of domestic violence among women and the scope for public health intervention in the context of the realities of a slum.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through narrative interviews of 30 married women residing in a slum in the Indian city of Kolkata using an unstructured interview schedule.Results: A thematic analysis revealed that all the women faced both physical and sexual violence in their day-to-day lives. The trajectories of the violence could be traced through their early marriage, lack of financial autonomy, and absence of control over their bodies. Women reported pain and physical injuries, as well as gynecological health problems due to routine violence. It also took an adverse toll on their mental health. There was a dea...
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2020
Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without... more Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach-Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings-Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the ''labour'' allotted to them. Practical implications-The paper concludes that abilities to self-care have a deep impact on the health of women, which if not facilitated will lead to a health depleting experience. At a time when Indian prisons are focussing on rehabilitation, the recommendations for providing opportunities for self-care in prisons can minimize the ''pains'' of imprisonment and pave the way for rehabilitation. Originality/value-The research is based on data collected during original fieldwork conducted in three prisons in West Bengal, India. It provides valuable insights on how penal environments affect self-care opportunities of imprisoned women.
International Journal of Prisoner Health, 2020
Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without... more Purpose-Self-care is defined as the ability to take care of one's body and health with or without the help of healthcare personnel. The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities for self-care among imprisoned women within the constraints of a confined life, which, in turn, affect their health. Design/methodology/approach-Primary data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 90 women in three prisons in the Indian state of West Bengal. Findings-Findings reveal that a majority of the women cited the inability to self-care was due to factors such as constricted architecture, specific penal policies that thwarted relational contexts in prisons and also the loss of control over their consumptive choices. However, it was found that coping mechanisms also existed among some women who actively constituted penal spaces for self-care. Many long-term imprisoned women tried to actively engage themselves in daily activities such as the "labour" allotted to them. Practical implications-The paper concludes that abilities to self-care have a deep impact on the health of women, which if not facilitated will lead to a health depleting experience. At a time when Indian prisons are focussing on rehabilitation, the recommendations for providing opportunities for self-care in prisons can minimize the "pains" of imprisonment and pave the way for rehabilitation. Originality/value-The research is based on data collected during original fieldwork conducted in three prisons in West Bengal, India. It provides valuable insights on how penal environments affect self-care opportunities of imprisoned women.
This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female priso... more This article demonstrates how prison food is controlled by the state through denying female prisoners' choices in food consumption and excluding them from active roles in cooking. Narratives of women in three prisons of India have been used to analyze their experiences with prison food. A majority of inmates perceived food as negatively affecting their health during imprisonment. Some were found to use it as a medium to recreate special identities for themselves, contesting the power of the prison. The study suggests the need for better articulation of the intricate relationship between power, health, and food in Indian prison settings.