The Story of an Eyewitness Essay Analysis

In The Story of an Eyewitness, journalist Jack London gives readers a vivid first-person account of the terrible aftermath of the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. London's report originally appeared in Collier's Weekly, May 5, 1906. As a reporter, London uses his writing experience to illustrate the devastation he witnesses by using similes, metaphors, irony, and personification. His incredible descriptions transport the reader right into the burning streets. The story begins with the earthquake destroying many buildings and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage. However, London expresses emphases on the fire that caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. He uses a metaphor to describe what he saw, â€Å"San Francisco's burning was a lurid tower visible a hundred miles away. † Next, he uses personification to illustrate his picture, â€Å"and for three days and nights this lurid tower swayed in the sky. London states that the fires spread quickly throughout the city, and could not be controlled by any man. Again, he uses personification to bring the fire alive, â€Å"Thus did the fire of itself build its own colossal chimney through the atmosphere. † London uses irony to describe the fires on Wednesday night, â€Å"Remarkable as it may seem, Wednesday night while the whole city crashed and roared into ruin, was a quiet night. † The fires lasted two days, Wednesday morning until Thursday night. While the city was burning, inhabitants tried to flee the city with their belongings. People tried to make it up San Francisco’s many steep hills, but had a hard time, so they ended up leaving most of their things behind. London uses a simile to paint the picture of the people giving up, â€Å"In the end, completely played out, after toiling for a dozen hours like giants. † After the fires burned out, all of the buildings, hotels, stores, and houses in San Francisco were gone. Many people became homeless. London’s simile describes the aftermath, â€Å"San Francisco, at the present time, is like the crater of a volcano, around which are camped tens of thousands of refugees. † Ironically, Jack London does not end the story with gloom and doom. After all the destruction and devastation, London brings back hope by informing readers that the United States Government is going to help the refugees. Also, we are assured that San Francisco is not dead because the bankers and business men have already set about making preparations to rebuild San Francisco.

buy custom Recent Rise in Obesity in America essay

buy custom Recent Rise in Obesity in America essay The occurrence of obesity, as well as diseases caused by obesity, has increased tremendously fast in America since 1970. This high number of obesity cases has due to the high number of fast food restaurants and low levels of active transportation, such as public transportation, walking and bicycling. Research shows that many people do few exercises after taking meals, and this has contributed to accumulation of excessive fats in the body that result to obesity (Crawford 2010). These exercises include walking and bicycling, which today people rarely practice. This is because most of the developed countries such as America, most people depend automobiles rather than active transportation such as walking, bicycling when travelling to work and school. This has been a significant determinant of the remarkable increases on the rates of obesity. Obesity has been a silent killer in America and; therefore, intensive efforts are necessary to help in the plight which is obesity. Obesity is a co nstant condition, of storing fats in excess, in the body. Although, body fat is vital for the efficient functioning of the body, too much of fat is dangerous. THE PROBLEM It was noted that many people take this high caloric food and do less exercise such as walking, which has resulted increase of cases of obesity and diseases cause by obesity. According to research, physical activity produced by active transportation can be useful in weight control. Physical activities such as bicycling and walking can help one expend a considerable amounts of energy in a day. Additionally, use of public transportation such as buses, trains and subways help one engage in walking and cycling to and from the bus stop, which will help in weight control as well as other mental and physical health benefits. The purpose of this paper is to explore the problem of low level of active transportation such as walking, public transportation and bicycling, have caused the rise of obesity in America (Great Britain 2004). It will also explore the reasons why it has resulted to the rise of obesity cases. REASONS FOR THE PROBLEM The problem of less active transportation such as walking is common in America whereby many people depend on automobile transportation to travel to work and school (Hamid 2009). One reason for less active transportation among Americans is the busy life that many people have. Many people have more than one responsibility whereby one is a mother or a father, a student, and an employee and the same time. With all these responsibility, one has limited time in a day; therefore, is supposed to use it wisely so as to be able to carry all he responsibilities. To be able to use the limited time to carry out all the activities of the day, many people use automobile transportation, which saves more time than walking, bicycling and using public transportation such as buses. As a result, they are not able to exercise physically, an activity that helps expend significant amounts of energy. This helps in weight control as well as other mental and physical health benefits. With the less physical exe rcise, many people store excessive fats in the body, which leads to obesity, a condition that cause diseases that have killed many people (Jelalian Steele 2008).. The other reason for less active transportation among Americans is that use of personal car to travel in a family is cheap. This is because a family car can be used to carry the whole family when travelling to work as well as the kids when going to school. The parents are able to take the children to school as they go to work. With the high cost of living, many families look for cheaper ways of living, whereby they use the cheapest means of transport to work as well as the kid to school. Therefore, instead of paying the bus fare to school, the parents travel together with their children while they travel to school to save money used when travelling using buses. This has reduced the chances of many children and their parents to participate in activities such as walking in order to expend the energy obtained from the foods they take. As a result, many children and parents become obese since there is excess storage of fats in the body due to less exercise. This excessive accumulation of fats leads to other dangerous diseases such as diabetes, which has killed many Americans. SOLUTIONS To solve this problem whereby less people engage in active transportation that helps in controlling the body weight, solutions should be put forward. One of the solutions is that people who have a busy life due to the many responsibilities they have should find time to engage in activities such as walking. For instance, they should use their weekends to engage in activities such as walking and bicycling in order to compensate for the days they have been using in automobile transportation (Kelly 2010). This will enable utilization of fats that have been taken from the meals, especially those with high content of calories. With the utilization of the excess fats in the body through active transportation and exercises, one is able to control the body weight. This will also help prevent the occurrence of obesity and diseases caused by obesity such as diabetes and heart failure. On the issue of automobile as a cheap way of transport, families should at timess allow the children travel to school using public vehicles such as buses, which will allow them walk from the bus station to school. This will allow them exercise their body in order to use up the excess fats that are stored in the body. Parents should also at times use public transits to travel to work so as to get an opportunity to exercise their bodies to prevent accumulation of fats in the body. In engaging in such activities will prevent them from obesity and diseases, such as diabetes, which force many parents to incur massive medical bills to tender to their medical conditions. As a result, the cost of living continues to increase that may result to poverty in the family. Parents and children; therefore should engage in active transportation when travelling to work and school so as to prevent the occurrence of obesity and diseases related to obesity. In addition, keeping children when they are phy sically fit prevents from limiting their lifespan; hence prevent wiping out future generations in the society. As a result, they are left to enhance development and growth economically in the society. ACTION PLAN Actions should be taken to ensure that cases of obesity are prevented so as to reduce the number of deaths caused by diseases related to obesity. This increased rate of obesity; therefore requires physical exercises, such as active transportation since travelling is an activity that many people engage every day (Kopelman, Caterson, Dietz, 2010). Active transportation such as walking and bicycling will lead to the reduction in obesity rate as well as promoting a healthy nation. Campaigns need to be launched to advocate for health literacy in order to inform people about the significance of good, healthy eating. The public should work together with the private sectors to improve the obesity situation in the country by encouraging physical exercise that help to weight control (Lee, McAlexander Banda 2011). CONCLUSION In conclusion, it is evident that low levels of active transportation, such as public transportation, walking and bicycling have contributed to the rise of obesity in America. Dependency on automobiles has resulted to rise of obesity in America; therefore, it is the high time for Americans to engage in active transportation to reduce cases of obesity. Obesity is the main cause of the many serious diseases. It is time to take a serious stand by emphasizing on the importance of body fitness and exercises. It is time American citizens required immediate action to eliminate obesity in their country. Attitudinal transformation is a significant step towards eliminating cases of obesity in America. Buy custom Recent Rise in Obesity in America essay

Great Rift Valley - Crack in the Planets Crust

Great Rift Valley - Crack in the Planet's Crust The Rift Valley of eastern Africa and Asia (sometimes called the Great Rift Valley [GRV] or East African Rift system [EAR or EARS]) is an enormous geological split in the crust of the earth, thousands of kilometers long, up to 125 miles (200 kilometers) wide, and between a few hundred to thousands of meters deep. First designated as the Great Rift Valley in the late 19th century and visible from space, the valley has also been a great source of hominid fossils, most famously in Tanzanias Olduvai Gorge. Key Takeaways: Great Rift Valley The Great Rift Valley is a huge fracture in the crust of the earth in the eastern part of Africa.  Crustal rifts are found all over the world, but the one in East Africa is the largest.  The rift is a complex series of faultlines that runs from the Red Sea down into Mozambique.The Lake Turkana basin in the rift region is known as the Cradle of Mankind and has been a source of hominid fossils since the 1970s.A 2019 paper suggests that the Kenyan and Ethiopian rifts are evolving into one single oblique rift.   The Rift Valley is the result of an ancient series of faults, rifts, and volcanoes deriving from the shifting of tectonic plates at the junction between the Somalian and the African plates. Scholars recognize two branches of the GRV: the eastern half- which is that piece north of Lake Victoria that runs NE/SW and meets the Red Sea; and the western half- running nearly N/S from Victoria to the Zambezi river in Mozambique. The eastern branch rifts first occurred 30 million years ago, the western 12.6 million years ago. In terms of rift evolution, many parts of the Great Rift Valley are in different stages, from pre-rift in the Limpopo valley, to initial-rift stage at the Malawi rift; to typical-rift stage in the northern Tanganyika rift region; to advanced-rift stage in the Ethiopian rift region; and finally to oceanic-rift stage in the Afar range. That means the region is still quite tectonically active: see Chorowicz (2005) for much more detail concerning the ages of the different rift regions. Geography and Topography The East African Rift System stretches from the Red Sea to Mozambique. It is marked by the African Great Lakes and is currently the largest rift of the world. S. Brune; Kartengrundlage: Nasa-World-Wind The Eastern African Rift Valley is a long valley flanked by uplifted shoulders that step down to the central rift by more or less parallel faults. The main valley is classed as a continental rift, extending from 12 degrees north to 15 degrees south of our planets​ equator. It extends a length of 3,500 km  and intersects major portions of the modern countries of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique and minor portions of others. The width of the valley varies between 30 km to 200 km (20-125 mi), with the widest section at the northern end where it links to the Red Sea in the Afar region of Ethiopia. The depth of the valley varies across eastern Africa, but for most of its length it is more than 1 km (3280 feet) deep and at its deepest, in Ethiopia, it is over 3 km (9,800 ft) deep. The topographical steepness of its shoulders and the depth of the valley have created specialized microclimates and hydrology within its walls. Most rivers are short and small within the valley, but a few follow the rifts for hundreds of kilometers, discharging into deep lake basins. The valley acts as a north-south corridor for the migration of animals and birds  and inhibits east/west movements. When glaciers dominated most of Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene, the rift lake basins were havens for animals and plant life, including early hominins. History of the Rift Valley Studies Following on the mid- to late-19th-century work of dozens of explorers including the famous David Livingstone, the concept of an East African rift fracture was established by Austrian geologist Eduard Suess, and named the Great Rift Valley of East Africa in 1896 by British geologist John Walter Gregory. In 1921, Gregory described the GRV as a system of graben basins which included the valleys of the Red and Dead Seas in western Asia, as the Afro-Arabian rift system. Gregorys interpretation of the GRV formation was that two faults had opened up and a central piece dropped down forming the valley (called a graben). Since Gregorys investigations, scholars have re-interpreted the rift as the result of multiple graben faults organized over a major fault line at the plate juncture. The faults occurred in time from the Paleozoic to Quaternary eras, a time span of some 500 million years. In many areas, there have been repeated rifting events, including at least seven phases of rifting over the past 200 million years. Paleontology in the Rift Valley In the 1970s, paleontologist Richard Leakey designated the East African Rift region as the Cradle of Mankind, and there is no doubt that the earliest hominids- members of the Homo species- arose within its boundaries. Why that happened is a matter of conjecture, but may have something to do with the steep valley walls and microclimates created within them. The interior of the rift valley was isolated from the rest of Africa during the Pleistocene ice age  and sheltered freshwater lakes located in savannahs. As with other animals, our early ancestors may have found refuge there when the ice covered much of the planet and then evolved as hominids within its tall shoulders. An interesting study on the genetics of frog species by Freilich and colleagues showed that the valleys micro-climates and topography are at least, in this case, a biogeographic barrier that resulted in the splitting of the species into two separate gene pools. It is the eastern branch (much of Kenya and Ethiopia) where much of the paleontological work has identified hominids. Beginning about 2 million years ago, barriers in the eastern branch eroded away, a time which is coeval (as much as that clock can be called co-eval) with the spread of Homo species outside of Africa. Rift Evolution Analysis of the rift reported by German geologist Sascha Brune and colleagues in March 2019 (Corti et al. 2019) suggests that although the rift began as two overlapping disconnected rifts (Ethiopian and Kenyan), the lateral offset that lies in the Turkana depression has evolved and continues to evolve into a single oblique rift.   In March of 2018, a great crack measuring 50 feet wide and miles long opened up in the Suswa area of southwestern Kenya. Scientists believe the cause was not a sudden recent shift of the tectonic plates, but rather the abrupt erosion to the surface of a long-standing subsurface crack that developed over thousands of years. Recent heavy rains caused the soil to collapse over the crack, exposing it to the surface, rather like a sinkhole.  Ã‚   Selected Sources Blinkhorn, J., and M. Grove. The Structure of the Middle Stone Age of Eastern Africa. Quaternary Science Reviews 195 (2018): 1–20. Print.Chorowicz, Jean. The East African Rift System. Journal of African Earth Sciences 43.1–3 (2005): 379–410. Print.Corti, Giacomo, et al. Aborted Propagation of the Ethiopian Rift Caused by Linkage with the Kenyan Rift. Nature Communications 10.1 (2019): 1309. Print.Deino, Alan L., et al. Chronology of the Acheulean to Middle Stone Age Transition in Eastern Africa. Science 360.6384 (2018): 95–98. Print.Freilich, Xenia, et al. Comparative Phylogeography of Ethiopian Anurans: Impact of the Great Rift Valley and Pleistocene Climate Change. BMC Evolutionary Biology 16.1 (2016): 206. Print.Frostick, L. Africa: Rift Valley. Encyclopedia of Geology. Eds. Cocks, L. Robin M. and Ian R. Plimer. Oxford: Elsevier, 2005. 26–34. Print.Sahnouni, Mohamed, et al. 1.9-Million- and 2.4-Million-Year-Old Artifacts and Stone Tool-Cutmarked Bones from Ain Boucherit, Algeria. Science 362.6420 (2018): 1297–301. Print. Simon, Brendan, et al. Deformation and Sedimentary Evolution of the Lake Albert Rift (Uganda, East African Rift System). Marine and Petroleum Geology 86 (2017): 17–37. Print.

Internal factor Evaluation on Michael Kors Company Essay - 2

Internal factor Evaluation on Michael Kors Company - Essay Example While compared to the industry performance, Michael Kors holdings Ltd. Has maintained a steady growth, sending a positive message to the investors. Sales by the company were higher than the aggregate sales by the entire industry. Moreover, the net income too grew consistently with the industry indicating a positive growth of the firm in the industry. For instance, the net income of the company for a 5 year average period was 114.64 against that of the industry that was at 18.56. Price earnings ratio (P/E Ratio) is the current share price of a company compared the company’s per share earnings. While arriving at the price earnings ratio, the market value per share of the company is divided by the company’s earnings per share. High Price earnings ratio gives an indication to the investors to expect higher earnings at the end of the financial year. Previously, since the decision to go public in the year 2011, the company has had a steady growth and has managed to be a leading market in the high end fashion industry. Cited as its biggest strength, the company has been able to avoid the pitfalls that have befallen its rivals in the design industry (Caplinger web). The steady increase has been reflected on its performance against the overall market performance, registering a higher current ratio than the industry’s general performance. Price sales ratios of the company are also higher than those of the company, while price cash ration are also higher than the industry’s. Profit Margins of a company indicate the level of profitability of a company in relation to the sales and revenue obtained. A high profit margin indicates a positive growth and increased levels of income for the shareholders. While compared with the average industry’s performance, the profit margin indicates the most profitable firms in an industry where investors are guaranteed their returns. Michael Kors has maintained a steady growth in its sales volume which has

CRASH by Paul Haggis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CRASH by Paul Haggis - Essay Example To begin with, Gary Becker’s Taste Model explicates that discrimination may occur when workers and employers dislike working together with people from dissimilar ethnic backgrounds or customers loathe buying goods and products from salespeople from different races (Riley). In simple terms, Becker suggests that people have a preference to associate with individuals from their own ethnic groups. This model clearly explicates what racial prejudice entails. Next, employer ignorance also plays a significant role in promoting labor market discrimination. In this case, employers fail to scrutinize the productive abilities of individuals; instead, they use discernible features such as race or gender as proxies. This judgment is based on the employer’s belief that some people are less productive compared to others because of their gender or race; thus, denying them employment or paying them salaries or wages that fairly reflect their experience, productivity and applicability to the job (Riley). Occupational crowding effect is also a factor that promotes labor market discrimination. In this scenario, minorities and females are crowded into lowly paying jobs. In explaining how labor market discrimination is experienced in the society, I would use the movie ‘Crash,’ co-written, directed and produced by Paul Haggis. The movie is about social and racial tensions in the crowded city of Los Angeles, California. The stories and experiences of several characters interweave to make the movie a success. One of the scenes depicting racial discrimination at its acclaimed heights occurs when Rick Cabot, the local District Attorney, with his wife, Jean, are carjacked while entering their Lincoln Navigator. The two black carjackers, Anthony and Peter, are infuriated by Jean’s reaction after seeing them. This compels them to snatch the couple’s car since they considered Jean’s reaction as demeaning and disrespectful. Anthony asserts that he does not understand why a

Brain Research Studies and their Significance to the Juvenile Justice Essay

Brain Research Studies and their Significance to the Juvenile Justice System - Essay Example In studying the juvenile brain, the use of new technology in the neurosciences have given way to new observations about differences in the structures of human adult brains and human juvenile brains, observations which basically stress the underdevelopment of juvenile brains. These observations in the structural differences between adult and juvenile brains have now sparked heated debates among scientists in regards to whether the observed differences have any real significance in how juveniles think and act. Aside from the scientific circle, legal experts and concerned citizens are also engaged in similar debates about whether or not these observed structural differences should be applied on how we treat juvenile offenders. The readings provided to us all provide insights into new findings about how the human brain develops. These new researches show how there really are differences between adult brains and teenage brains, with the conclusion that juvenile brains are basically immature. Of course, this has always been assumed by people. We have always assumed that teenagers are less mature and that's why there are a lot of rights that a teenager cannot exercise until he has reached the age of 18. But it is only now that this immaturity is actually based on scientific fact and not just observations of how teenagers behave. There is not much argument about the validity of these observed differences. The bigger debate lies on whether these structural differences are actually significant, and how these differences should be interpreted. First of all, the new brain research findings that were described in the readings show that the development of the human brain actually finishes only at the early 20's. (American Bar Association) Also, another important detail about recent brain research findings is the actual path of development for human brains. Not only was the structure of the teenage brain observed to be underdeveloped as compared to adult brains, research findings also show that the last part to develop fully is the pre-frontal cortex. (Bower 2004) The interpretation of these observations then leads to the debate. As a relatively young science, there are still a lot of things about the human brain that cannot be adequately explained by Neuroscience. Although large strides are being made in regards to mapping the structure of the human brain, the actual function of all these structures is still very theoretical. The significance and function of the frontal lobe and the pre-frontal cortex, for example, is still not fully determined. (Bower 2004) Although a large number of neuroscientists agree that the frontal lobe where the pre-frontal cortex is located has been observed to usually be active when an individual is undertaking higher thought processes, they cannot conclude that the pre-frontal cortex itself is responsible for these higher thought processes. It may just be a coincidence. Some believe these research findings may only show correlations between some functions of the brain and the activity of different brain structures, but they do not give

The History And Background Of Suicide Nursing Essay

The History And Background Of Suicide Nursing Essay Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people; however the incidence of attempted suicide is much more. It has been observed that after puberty, rate of suicide increases with age until it stabilizes in young adulthood. This increase in suicide may be associated with the onset and increase in depressive and other disorders during adolescents as compared to childhood. Suicide ideation, gestures and attempts are frequently but not always associated with depressive disorders, reports indicate that as many as half of suicidal individuals express suicidal intention to a friend or a relative within 24 hours before enactive suicidal behavior. It is a time proven fact that all the living organisms on this earth fight for survival and existence. What then makes the man to risk his own life? The tragedy of self inflicted death has always attracted the attention of the medical as well as the legal fraternity. People who have committed suicide or have been thinking about committing suicide probably feel overwhelmed by their problems. They might not be able to handle that kind of pressure and feel that death would be the only way to escape it.( Alonso J,2008). Although suicide was condemned in the Dharmashastras, yet, there is also a chapter on allowed suicides. But the earlier scriptures, of Manus and Kautilyas were against suicide. These sentiments were echoed for ages in India. Even though today, attempted suicide is also a crime in India under the Indian Penal Code system. The neighbouring country Sri Lanka has removed attempted suicide as a punishable offence. In India, even the assisting and abetting suicide is also a punishable offence. The striking aspect of Indian data is the large variation in different parts of India in relation to attempted/committed suicide. The states and cities with rapid social change are associated with higher suicide rates in the year 2010, such as the states of Tamilnadu (5470) and Andhra Pradesh (5675),Maharashtra (6289), West Bengal (5302).(NCRBI 2007). Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with major changes: body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and uncertainty, as well as pressure to succeed, and the ability to think about things in new ways influence a teenagers problem solving and decision making abilities. For some teenagers, normal developmental changes, when compounded by other events or changes in their families such as parental divorce or moving to a new community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or other losses can be very upsetting and become overwhelming. Problems may appear too difficult or embarrassing to overcome. For some, suicide may seem like a perfect solution. The adolescent suicide rate has greatly increased in recent years. Suicides in those ages 15 to 24 years once accounted for 5% of all suicides but now it is increased to 14%. This makes suicide the third leading cause of death among adolescents. Suicide rates for males within the age group of 10 14 years have tripled, whereas rates for males aged 15 to 19 years have quadrupled. Rates for females have doubled. Males aged 15 to 19 years are nearly 5 times more likely to kill themselves than females in the same age group. Although female adolescents attempt suicide 2 to 3 times more often than their male counterparts. Recorded suicide attempts peak between the ages of 15 and 19years.(WHO 2008). 1.1 NEED FOR STUDY: The numbers of suicides are increasing in India. India accounts for 10% of worlds suicides. According to the latest national crime record bureau report, there are over 1.2 lakh suicides in 2006 and 1.3 lakh in 2007. It also states that Bangalore has the highest rate of suicides in India. Till June 2007 there have been around 900 cases of suicide reported from Bangalore city alone. In 2005, 1,480 persons have committed suicide, while in the year 2006, the number was over 2,000, and among all states, Karnataka stands second after Kerala, followed by Maharashtra and West Bengal (Gururaj G.2008). According to WHOs estimation, in the year 2004, approximately one million people died from suicide, and 10 20 times more people attempted suicide worldwide. This represents one death every 40 seconds and one attempt every 3 seconds, on average (WHO,2004). The adolescent suicide rate has greatly increased in recent years. Suicides in those ages 15 to 24 years once accounted for 5% of all suicides but now it is increased to 14%. This makes suicide the third leading cause of death among adolescents. Suicide rates for males within the age group of 10 14 years have tripled, whereas rates for males aged 15 to 19 years have quadrupled. Rates for females have doubled. Males aged 15 to 19 years are nearly 5 times more likely to kill themselves than females in the same age group. Although female adolescents attempt suicide 2 to 3 times more often than their male counterparts. Recorded suicide attempts peak between the ages of 15 and 19years (Marlow,2002). 1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN PRIYADARSHINI SCHOOL,PITHAPURAM,ANDHRA PRADESH. 1.3 OBJECTIVES: 1.3.1 To assess the knowledge regarding preventive measures of suicidal ideation among adolescents. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on Preventive measures of Suicidal ideation among adolescents. 1.3.3 To associate the preventive measures for suicidal ideation among adolescents with the various demographic variables. 1.4 ASSUMPTIONS: The adolescents are prone for suicidal thoughts. 1.5 HYPOTHESIS: There will be a significant difference between the preventive measures for suicidal ideation before and after administration of structured teaching programme. There will be a significant association between the preventive measures for suicidal ideation with various demographic variables 1.6 Operational Definition: 1.6.1 Suicide: is the act of intentionally taking ones own life in a culturally no endorsed manner. 1.6.2. Preventive measures: refer to the risk factors, warning signs, suicidal behavior, misconceptions of suicide, how to communicate and monitoring safety needs in the environment. 1.7 Conceptual Framework: Modified general systems theory of learning: General systems theory is useful in breaking process into sequential operations or tasks to ensure goal realization. Purpose, goal or aim is necessary for any process or system. The aim of the study is to increase the knowledge of preventive measures for suicidal ideation. Input: The first function is the input which is the information, energy or matter that enters the system. For a system to work well the input should concentrate in achieving the purpose of the system. In the present study the information, energy or matter which enters the system is the introduction of structured teaching programme regarding the preventive measures for suicidal ideation. In the present study input is the existing knowledge regarding preventive measures for suicidal ideation. Throughput: According to the theorist, throughput refers to the process used by the system to convert raw material or energy into products that are usable by the system itself or by the environment. In this active phase, teacher converts the information from structured teaching programme regarding preventive measures for suicidal ideation. Output: According to theorist, it refers to the product or service which results from the systems through put. Output in this study refers to the end product of the system. This is evidenced by adolescents gaining knowledge regarding the preventive measures for suicidal ideation. Evaluation: Evaluation is the information about some aspects of data or energy processing that can be used, to evaluate and monitor the system and to guide it to more effective performance. In the present study, evaluation measures the success or failure of output. I t is done by measuring the performance and it is graded as adequate knowledge (>75% scores), moderately adequate knowledge (50%-75% scores) and inadequate knowledge ( Feedback: The final function is feedback which is the process of communicating what is found in evaluation of the system. It is the information given back to the system to determine whether or not the purpose or end result of the system has been achieved. The final part of feed back communicates what is found in the evaluation and it tells whether the structured teaching programme was effective in enhancing the knowledge of adolescents regarding the preventive measures for suicidal ideation. 1.8 Projected Outcome: Structured teaching program helps to improve the knowledge on preventive measures for suicidal ideation among adolescents. Fig: 1.1 MODIFIED SYSTEM MODEL TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF ADOLESCENTS REGARDING PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF SUICIDAL IDEATION OUTPUT THROUGH PUT INPUT Assessment of demographic variables of adolescents such as age, sex, family income, religion, parents education. Pre assessment of knowledge of adolescents regarding preventive measures of suicidal ideation Post assessment of knowledge of adolescents regarding preventive measures of suicidal ideation Adequate Inadequate Structured teaching Programme on Preventive measures of suicidal ideation Inadequate Moderately adequate REASSESSMENT CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE Review of Literature is a key step in research process. Nursing research may be considered as a continuing process in which knowledge gained from earlier studies is an integral part of research in general. In review of literature a researcher analyses existing knowledge before delving into a new study and when making judgement about application of new knowledge in nursing practice. The literature review is an extensive, systematic, and critical review of the most important published scholarly literature on a particular topic. 2.1 Literatures related to Suicide risk factors 2.2 Literatures related to Prevention of suicidal ideation 2.1 Literatures related to Suicide risk factors A case control study was conducted to identify and quantify risk factors for completed suicides in Bangalore, India. The study was conducted with the families of 269 completed suicides and 269 living controls within the broader population of the city using psychological autopsy methods. The results showed that, the significant risk factors for completed suicides were the presence of previous suicidal attempt in self [odds ratio (OR) = 42.62], interpersonal conflicts and marital disharmony with spouse [OR = 27.98], alcoholism [OR = 23.38], presence of mental illness [OR = 11.07], sudden economic bankruptcy [OR =7.1], domestic violence [OR = 6.82], and unemployment [OR = 6.15]. Individuals completing suicides did not have a positive outlook towards life, problem solving approaches and coping skills. The study concluded that, the intervention strategies should include prioritized macro and micro level efforts aimed at individual, family and society. (Gururaj G 2007) A study conducted involving 1205 adolescent students of two schools from New Delhi reported, one year suicidal ideation was 11.7%. they also found that physical abuse by parents, feelings neglected by parents, history of running away from school, history of suicide by a friend and death wish were found to be associated with non-fatal suicidal behavior. (Siddhartha and Jena,2006). A study conducted on bullying and risk of suicidal behaviour among adolescents in New York. Total 2341 adolescents aged 13-19 years who were enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in suburban school was selected for study. Researchers used Beck Depression Inventory to assess depression and suicide Ideation Questionnaire. Suicide attempt history included any attempt, regardless extend of injury. With regard bullying behaviour, students were asked how often they had been bullied or had bullied others in and out of school during the past 4 weeks. Being bullied was defined as having the student say or do unpleasant thing or being teased repeatedly in a way the person does not like. Result shows about 20% student reported that they were victims of bullying in school and about 10% reported that they were victims of bullying outside the school. With regard to bullying behavior, about 25% students reported that they bullied other students in school and 15% reported that they were bullied others out side school .The risk of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt was significantly higher for students who were considered either a victim or a bully compared with students who were not. The more frequent the bullying behaviour the greater risk of depression, suicidal ideation or suicidal attempt. (Wagnar KD,2007). A study conducted on rates and factors associated with suicide in Kaniymbadi block, Tamil Nadu, South India. The setting for the study was a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural South India. The main outcome measure was death by suicide diagnosed by detailed verbal autopsy and census and birth and death data to identify population base. Result shows the average suicide rate was 92.1 per 1,00.000. The ratio of male to female suicide was 1:0.66. The age specific suicide rate for women showed two peaks: 15-24 year and over 65 years of age. Hanging (49%) and poisoning with organo-phosphorus compound (40.5%) were commonest method of suicide. Acute or chronic stress was elicited for nearly all subjects. More men suffered from chronic stress while more women had acute precipitating events (x2= 4.58; p A study conducted on risk factors for completed suicide in Banglore, India. A case control study conducted with families of 269 completed suicides and 269 living control within the broader population of city, using psychological autopsy method. Result shows that several factor in the areas of family, marriage, education, occupation, general health, mental health and absence of protective factors contribute significantly for suicides .The significance factor were presence of previous suicidal attempt in self (odds ratio OR = 42.62), interpersonal conflicts and marital disharmony with spouse (O =27.98), alcoholism in self (OR=23.38), presence of mental illness (OR=11.07), sudden economic bankruptcy (OR=7.1), domestic violence (OR=6.82) and unemployment(OR= 6.15). Individual completing suicide did not have a positive outlook towards life, problem solving approaches and coping scale (Gururaj G and Isaac MK, 2007). A study was conducted on psychosocial risk factors associated with suicide attempts among psychiatric inpatient and this study examine how suicide attempts and violent behavior associated with various psychosocial problems. This study included 216 inpatient who had physically assaulted another patient and a comparison group of 81 inpatient who had not assaulted any one. The result was suicide attempts were associated with a history of head trauma harsh parental discipline and parental psychopathology (Menhem.I and Krakowski, 2004). A study conducted on psychosocial stressors may be strongly associated with suicide attempts; the aim of the study was to clarify the importance of psychosocial stressors in suicidal behavior and 250 suicide attempts seen at general hospital emergence room. Acute and chronic life events were assessed with the St. Paul Ramsey life experience scale Holmes and Rahes social adjustment scale respectively, life long adverse experience were also assessed. The logistic regression with dependent variable included psychosocial stressor (Odds ratio (OR)=33.6) And other interpersonal conflicts (OR =10.5) modification of life habits (OR = 14.6) adult physical abuse (OR = 7.1) confounding factors with significant ORS were cluster B traits (OR = 21.2) and finally this study mainly a replication of prior knowledge of psychosocial stressors.( Enrique Baca-Garcia, and Claudia.P.Parra,2007). A cross-sectional study of 342 adolescents aged 10-19 years from 19 schools. Multivariate analysis showed that a history of self-violence, violent thoughts toward others, mental health diagnoses other than depression, and a history of sexual abuse were positively associated with suicide attempt. Sexual abuse, mental health diagnoses other than depression, self-violence, and ease of access to lethal substances/weapons were positively associated with suicide ideation and found a relatively high prevalence of suicide ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents living in Western Jamaica. An accurate understanding of the prevailing risk factors for suicide attempts will promote a more sympathetic approach to victims and facilitate prevention efforts.( Rudatsikira E,2010). A cross-sectional school survey of 4,500 adolescent students based on a structured questionnaire. Data were collected using the supervised self-administered questionnaire (modified version of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance in the Malaysian National Language, Bahasa Malaysia). Seven percent (312 of 4,454) of the adolescent students had seriously considered attempting suicide. Among the adolescents, 4.6% had attempted suicide at least once during the 12 months preceding the survey. Female adolescents were more likely to put their suicidal thoughts into suicidal action than were male adolescents. Malay and Indian people are more likely than the Chinese to respond, Felt sad and hopeless. However, Malay adolescents had the lowest rate of attempted suicide. Based on multiple logistic regression, factors significantly related to urban adolescents suicide behavior are Felt sad or hopeless, Number of days felt unsafe to go to school, Riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, P hysical fight, and Number of days absent from school. In comparison, factors relating to rural adolescents suicide behavior are Felt sad or hopeless, Physical fight, Physical fight resulting in injury, and Drive a vehicle after drinking alcohol. Adolescent suicide behavior should be viewed as a serious problem. Measures can be taken to prevent suicide by looking at the factors significantly linked to suicidal behavior among adolescents. Steps can then be taken to identify adolescents who have serious suicidal ideation so that intervention can be taken to reduce the suicidal rate.( Chen PC and Lee LK,2005). A comparative study conducted at Slovenia in 2006 to compare coping styles among adolescents with and without deliberate self-harm concluded that suicidal ideation was associated with higher scores on emotional coping and lower scores on rational and detachment coping styles. Deliberate self-harm was associated with significantly higher scores on avoidance coping strategies and identified a need for improving coping strategies among deliberate self harm adolescents(Marusic A, Goodwin RD,2006). A study conducted on the associations between peer and parental relationships and suicidal behaviour in early adolescents. Method used statistics Canadas National Longitudinal Survey of Children Youth as the dataset. This cross sectional sample included 1049 girls and 1041 age 12 to 13 years. Answers obtained through self- report questionnaires that included measures of peer relationships, parental nurturance, and parental rejection, suicidal ideation and attempts. Result shows that among early adolescent boys and girls, depression, poor peer relationships, decrease parental nurturance and increase parental rejection wear all significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempt.( Sarah A and Laurence YK, 2006). 2.2 Literatures related to Prevention of suicidal ideation An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a school based suicide awareness intervention among adolescents in Louisville, Kentucky. A self report questionnaire was used to collect data. A Solomon four groups design was used to assess the efficacy of suicide intervention classes. The results revealed that, the experimental groups as compared with control groups showed significant gains in relevant knowledge about suicidal peers and significantly more positive attitudes toward help seeking and intervening with troubled peers. (Kalafat J.,2006). A study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a school based prevention programme for reducing suicide potential among high risk youth in Washington, USA. A sample of 105 subjects at suicide risk participated in a three group, repeated measures, intervention study. Participants in (1) an assessment plus 1 semester experimental programme, (2) an assessment plus 2- semester experimental programme, and (3) an assessment only group were compared, using data from pre intervention, 5 month, and 10 month follow up assessments. The results suggested that, all groups showed decreased suicide risk behaviours, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger; all groups also reported increased self- esteem and network social support. Increased personal control was observed only in the experimental groups, and not in the assessment only control group. The potential efficacy of the experimental school based prevention programme was demonstrated. The study concluded that, the necessary and sufficient strategies for suicide prevention have to be adopted. (Eggert LL, 2004). A study was conducted to assess the impact of a suicide prevention programme for adolescents on suicidal tendencies, hopelessness, ego identity, and coping ability in Israel. 393 adolescents from six schools participated in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental (n = 215) and control (n= 178) groups. The experimental groups took part in seven weekly 2 hour meetings. In this pre-test post-test design, the students completed questionnaires of suicidal tendencies, hopelessness, ego identity, and coping ability before and after the programme. The statistical analysis showed that the experimental groups were superior to the controls, with at least some of the dependent measures pointing out the effectiveness of the programme ( Orbach I, 2003). An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention programme in Farmington, USA. 2,100 students in 5 high schools were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Self administered questionnaire were completed by students in both groups approximately 3 months after programme implementation. The results revealed that, significantly lower rates of suicide attempts and greater knowledge and more adaptive attitudes about depression and suicide were observed among students in the intervention group than control group. The study concluded that, SOS is the first school based suicide prevention programme to demonstrate significant reductions in self reported suicide attempts (Eggert LL and Thompson EA,2007). A study was conducted on the effectiveness of school based psycho-educational programme in suicide prevention in adolescents. Sample collected from 172 high school students in the 16-18 age group include 108 girls and 64 boys. Method used a structured self-report questionnaire. The results show that the programme had no effect on coping styles and level of hopelessness. However positive effect on knowledge could be identified an interaction effect of the programme with gender on attitude was also found. A negative impact of programme could not be found. Findings from study suggest that psycho-educational programs in schools may influence knowledge about suicide and attitudes towards suicidal persons but may not affect the use of coping styles or levels of hopelessness (Gwendolyn P and Kees VH,2006). A study was conducted on the evaluation of the signs of suicide prevention program where data was collected from 4133 students in 9 schools. Method used self administered questionnaires completed by students in both groups approximately 3 month after the program implementation. Result shows significantly lower rates of suicide attempts and greater knowledge and more adaptive attitude about depression and suicide were observed in intervention group.( Robert H and Asetine J,2007). A study was conducted on to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an Informational Booklet on cancer risk factors among college students, nurses and doctors at university of Delhi. The objectives of the study was (1) to prepare an informational booklet on cancer risk factors (2) to assess the knowledge before and after the administration of informational booklet on cancer risk factors and (3) to determine the acceptability and utility of an informational booklet by college students, nurses and doctors. The one group pre-test post-test pre experimental research design adopted Convenient sampling method was used to select sample size 30. The data collection instruments used were (I) a structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge of students and (2) two structured opinionnaires were used to gather opinion regarding acceptability and utility of the booklet from college students, doctors and nurses. The results shown that information booklet is effective in increasing th e knowledge of the college students as evident from t (29) = 52.44 higher significant. Doctors and nurses were higher and close to the maximum possible acceptability and utility scores. The study concluded that the informational booklet was acceptable and useful for findings cancer risk factors ( Bairwa KS,2002). CHAPTER III MATERIALS AND METHODS Research design provides the glue that holds the research project together. A design is used to structure the research, to show how all of the major parts of the research project. This study was designed to find out effectiveness of structured teaching programme in promoting knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation among adolescents. This study was conducted by adopting following steps of research process as research design, setting, population and sampling, criteria for selection of samples, instruments and tools for data collection and methods of data analysis. Pilot study was conducted and changes were incorporated. 3.1 Research Design:The study was based on one group pre test and post test design. Pre test knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation among adolescents was assessed before providing education programme. Education regarding what is suicide, risk factors,misconceptions and facts, preventive measures of suicide was delivered through lecture cum discussion method by using LCD, blackboard. After a period of 5 to 7 days of education, the knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation among adolescent was reassessed. The paired t test was used to compare the pre test score and post test score and assosciation was used to find among variables. 3.2 Setting of the Study: The study was conducted in Priyadarshini High school Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh. 3.3 Population: The population of this study consisted of adolescents in the 9th standard. 3.3.1 Sample size: Size was determined by purposive sampling. All adolescents in the 9th standard were taken for the study 50 students. 3.4 Criteria for selection of sample: Inclusion criteria: Adolescents in the class of 9th standard Variables of the study: 3.5.1 Independent variable: The independent variable in this study is structured teaching programme on preventive measures of suicidal ideation. 3.5.2 Dependent variable: The dependent variable in this study is knowledge level gained by adolescent. 3.6 Instruments and tools for data collection: A questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge of adolescents towards preventive measures of suicidal ideation . A structured questionnaire was developed based on literature, journal, text book. The questionnaire has two aspects demographic data and questionnaire on preventive measures of suicidal ideation. Section A: The demographic data includes sample number, age, sex, number of siblings, religion, family profile. Section B: This section consists of 25 questions, for each question 4 options were given in that only one is correct, students have to tick any one of the 4 options. For each question one mark was awarded, maximum mark obtained was 25. It was mandatory that all the 25 questions should be responded by the student. Scoring: Adequate : >75% Moderately adequate: 50 -75% Inadequate : 3.7 Reliability and validity of instruments and tools for data collection: The tool was prepared with the help of literature, research and subject guides. The reliability and validity was tested through pilot study. Additions and modifications suggested by experts were included in the tool. 3.8 Data Collection Procedure: Data collection was done in the month of July; data was collected through self administered questionnaire. After assessment education was delivered through lecture cum discussion using LCD, charts, black board. Doubts were clarified at the end of teaching. The reassessment was done after 5 to 7 days from the day the education started. 3.9 Method of Data Analysis and Interpretation: Frequency distribution tables were formulated for all baseline information. Frequencies were tabulated to understand the knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation. The distribution pattern was depicted through appropriate graphical methods. Results were inferred through statistical techniques likes paired t test and association was used among variables. 3.9.1 Paired t test: This formula was adopted to find out the significant difference between pretest and post test score, of adolescents to understand the knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation. = Mean difference between pretest and post test score. d = Difference between pretest score and post test score. SD = Standard deviation of the pretest score and post test score. = number of samples. 3.10 Report of Pilot Study: Pilot study was conducted in Priyadarshini School, Pithapuram,Andhra Pradesh. For the Pilot Study 16 Students were taken from 9th standard. The questionnaire was given to the students for the assessment of knowledge on Prevention Of suicidal ideation, after Pre-test it was found that only 2 students had adequate knowledge, 13 had moderately adequate knowledge,1 had in adequate knowledge. After structured teaching programme, the result of the Post test is as follows, 8 students had adequate knowledge, 8 students had moderately adequate knowledge. None of them had inadequate knowledge. 3.11. Changes Brought After pilot Study: After the pilot study changes were made in the questionnaire. CHAPTER -IV DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Data analysis is the process of analyzing the data in such a way that the research questions can be answered (Hungler and Polit, 2004). This chapter deals with analysis and interpretation of data collected from students of Priyadarshini high school in Pithapuram, A.P. Students knowledge on preventive measures of suicidal ideation w