ABSTRACT
Background: Reproductive health plays a significant role in a woman’s life. Women of child bearing age group in developing countries suffer ill health due to lack of knowledge on reproductive health issues. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge regarding reproductive health among women and the associated socio-demographic factors.Methods: A total of 345 women of age group 15-44 years were recruited using cluster sampling in 15 clusters from among 28 villages under a Primary Health Center from May to July 2017. Data on sociodemographic details and knowledge of reproductive health under the following domains: menstruation, contraception, reproductive tract infections and marriage and pregnancy were collected using a modified interview schedule.Results: The mean age of the study population was 28.59±9.08 years. Majority of them belonged to age group 15-30 years (60%), attained school level education (55.7%), 45% were gainfully employed, married (65.5%) and from middle class (40.6%). It was found that out of 345 study population; only 19% had adequate knowledge on reproductive health. The proportion of women who had adequate knowledge in each domain was marriage and pregnancy (47.5%), menstruation (29.9%), contraception (17.4%) and least being reproductive tract infections (15%). Knowledge on reproductive health was significantly inadequate among women in the age group 31-44 years, illiterate women, who belongs to lower class and students. Only, socio-economic status and occupation were the significant predictors of knowledge.Conclusions: Knowledge regarding reproductive health was inadequate among women in reproductive age group in rural areas.
ABSTRACT
Background: Consumption of iodised salt is a simple, e?ective and inexpensive preventive measure to prevent iodine de?ciency disorders. Lack of awareness, faulty practices in storage as well as poor production quality lead to decreased availability of iodine at consumer level. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of households using adequately iodised salt and to assess their awareness and practices regarding iodised salt consumption in a subcentre region of Sarjapur PHC area in Bangalore Urban District.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 382 households selected by two stage method involving proportional allocation based on village size followed by systematic random sampling at village level. MBI salt testing kit was used to check for iodisation level.Results: Of the 382 households, 22.3% used inadequately iodised salt. Out of the 382 individuals interviewed, 72% were females and only 21% were aware about iodised salt. Majority of the households purchased salt from a general store, was stored in tightly closed plastic containers and kept on shelves. Only 5% looked for the iodine logo on the packets before purchase of salt. Individuals with poor awareness, purchase of salt at public distribution system store, storage of salt on the floor, use of crystal salt were significantly associated with presence of inadequately iodised salt at the household.Conclusions: Nearly 30% of the salt packets used by households were inadequately iodised. Awareness regarding iodised salt was poor which contributed to the presence of inadequately iodised salt at household level.
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-communicable diseases are the leading causes of death globally, of which cardiovascular diseases are the most common. Cost-effective strategies, such as task shifting, are needed to mitigate the rising epidemic by controlling hypertension and diabetes in our country.Methods: This was a non-randomized interventional study undertaken in six (3 intervention and 3 control) villages of Lakkur primary health centre (PHC) area under Malur taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka, from November 2013 to April 2015. After obtaining written informed consent, baseline survey was done among 180 diabetics and hypertensives (adults>30 years). In the intervention villages, ASHAs who were trained did the intervention for 6 months. In non-intervention villages, standard usual care was given and repeat survey was done after 6 months to re-measure.Results: This study demonstrated that there was an increase of 44.8% in the proportion of hypertensives whose blood pressure was under control and increase of 26.5% in the proportion of diabetics whose blood sugar was under control in villages that received household visits by trained ASHAs (intervention villages). There was an increase in the medication adherence levels (29.6%) and reduction in tobacco usage (median difference of 4 times per day) among hypertensives and diabetics who are on medication in intervention villages.Conclusions: Findings from this study will provide policy makers and other stakeholders needed information to recommend scalable and cost-effective policy in respect to cardiovascular risk reduction, hypertension and diabetes control in resource-poor settings.
ABSTRACT
Background: Millions of women face significant barriers in menstrual hygiene management due to inadequate awareness, misconceptions and erroneous practices. The objectives of the study were to assess the awareness, perceptions and practices regarding menstruation and their associated factors among youth of a peri-urban college in Bangalore Urban district.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among both male and female students studying in a degree college. A pre-designed, face-validated structured questionnaire was administered to all students present on the day of the study.Results: Of the 758 students, 372 (49.1%) were male and 386 (50.9%) were female. The mean age was 19.35±1.40 years. A consolidated score above 50% i.e. 07/14 was considered adequate for knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 7.51±2.52. Overall 389 (51.3%) students had adequate knowledge. Awareness levels were significantly better among females (72.3%) than males (29.6%). Among the female students, 384 (99.5%) were aware of sanitary napkins, 165 (42.7%) of menstrual cup, 12 (3.1%) of tampon and 254 (65.8%) of reusable cloth, however majority (96.9%) preferred use of sanitary napkins. Among the female students, 42.6% were expected to follow some social and cultural restrictions during menstruation. Main source of information regarding menstruation and various menstrual products was internet. Misconceptions documented regarding menstruation included the belief that menstrual blood is poisonous (75.2%). Positive attitude towards menstruation was low both among male students (21.5%) and female students (48.4%).Conclusions: Awareness levels were poor among males than females. Practices regarding menstrual hygiene were adequate. However, misconceptions were widely prevalent among both genders indicating the need for health education among college-going childhood.
ABSTRACT
Background: Birth weight is a reliable and sensitive predictor of a new-born’s chances for survival, growth and long-term physical and psychosocial development. There are few studies done in rural South India documenting valuable data such as detailed maternal nutritional intakes and psychological factors, and linking them to LBW. The objective was to estimate the proportion of LBW in a maternity center, Snehalaya hospital, Solur, Ramnagar district, Karnataka and to assess the factors affecting birth weight. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a maternity centre, Snehalaya, in Solur Village, Ramnagar District, Karnataka between September and November 2014. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit 144 patients and the questionnaire was then administered to them. Results: Among the 144 women, the proportion of LBW was found to be 14.6% and the mean birth weight was 2.6± 0.4kg. We also found a significant association of birth weight with per capita income, maternal pregnancy weight gain, number of antenatal visits, maternal education, tobacco consumption, and stress and egg consumption in diet. Multivariate analysis showed significant association of birth weight with maternal pregnancy weight gain, tobacco consumption and stress. Conclusions: A greater number of the subjects were found to have access to the basic antenatal care measures such as nutrition, free iron supplements and regular antenatal check-ups and this has shown to have a positive effect on the birth weight in the study population. Though various factors have been already proven to be associated, psychological and nutritional factors have to be concentrated henceforth.
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular diseases account for almost half of all deaths from noncommunicable diseases, and almost 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries such as India. The PrePAre (Primary pREvention strategies at the community level to Promote treatment Adherence to pREvent cardiovascular disease) trial was a primary prevention trial of community health workers aimed at improving adherence to prescribed pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies in cardiovascular diseases. It was conducted at three geographically, culturally and linguistically diverse sites across India, comprising 28 villages and 5699 households. Planning and implementing large-scale community-based trials is filled with numerous challenges that must be tackled, while keeping in mind the local community dynamics. Some of the challenges are especially pronounced when the focus of the activities is on promoting health in communities where treating disease is considered a priority rather than maintaining health. This report examines the challenges that were encountered while performing the different phases of the trial, along with the solutions and strategies used to tackle those difficulties. We must strive to find feasible and cost-effective solutions to these challenges and thereby develop targeted strategies for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in resource-constrained rural settings.