ASSESSMENT OF SELF-ESTEEM AND ASSOCIATED SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AMONG SOLDIERS AT HIGH ALTITUDE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the self-esteem and affecting socio demographic factors among the soldiers deployed at high altitude.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Siachin, form 1 Jan to 31 Mar 2016.

Material and Methods: The sample population comprised of the soldiers deployed at a height of 4500 meter or more above sea level at Karakorum ranges in the periphery of district Skardu for more than one month. Selfesteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Age, BMI, altitude, duration of stay, family income, smoking, use of naswar, worry about future, and breathing difficulties were correlated with the selfesteem to evaluate the association of these factors with low self-esteem in the study population.

Results: Out of 103 soldiers screened through the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale at High Altitude, 71.8% had satisfactory self-esteem while 28.2% had dissatisfactory self-esteem. After applying the logistic regression we found that smoking, breathing difficulty and worry about future had significant association with dissatisfactory self-esteem.

Conclusion: This study showed that most of the Pakistani soldiers had satisfactory self-esteem during the deployment at high altitude. Special attention should be paid to the smokers and those who worry about future and have breathing difficulties at high altitude to further enhance this psychological parameter.