A study on the perception of institutionalized children about the institutional environment

Present study was conducted on 50 girl children of children homes (Department of Women Development and Child Welfare) at Yousufguda, Telangana. The objective was to know the perception of institutionalized children on institutional environment. It was found that most of them (62%) had been living in the institution from 3.1 to 6 years. No child had any health problem. For 64 per cent children the treatment in the institute was permissive. All had adequate supply of food and materials. Majority (72%) of the children liked their peer group and most (58%) of the children had only few best friends. All of them had adequate personal hygiene. All reported that they rarely used to go for picnics or on tours. The interaction between children and caregivers was perceived as good by 58 per cent of the children and only 38 per cent reported that caretakers frequently listened to their personal and health problems All the children had monthly health check-ups. Majority of the children (88%) perceived that the facilities in the institution required improvement to a greater extent. For majority (54%) children life in the institution was sometimes good.