ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: The first five years of life constitute the foundations of the child's physical, mental growth and development. Mortality and morbidity are high during this age group. Early detection of danger signs is very crucial to prevent this. The objectives were to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding under-five danger signs and explore the association between the effects of knowledge with selected factors. Method: A descriptivestudy was conducted in a rural community of West Bengal from Jan’2018 to Sept’2018. Total study sample was 110 mothers having under five children. Door to door data collection was done through interview and data was analyzed both manually and by computer feeding. Results: Out of total study sample, majority (60%) belongs to age group 18-25 years followed by 31% among 26-33 age group, then 16% were more than 33 years. Out of total mothers, majority (40%) belongs to higher educated group, (37%) secondary group, followed by 10% with primary education and 13%were illiterate. Knowledge score was more than 50% among higher educated group (64%). Out of total respondents 61 (55.5%) mothers were not able to identify any danger signs whereas, 35.5 % mothers identified 1-2 danger signs and 9% mothers were able to identify 3-4 danger signs. Knowledge score about danger signs was more who visited antenatal clinic more than 4 times (61%). Conclusion: Awareness regarding under five danger signs are more among higher educated mothers. Number of antenatal visits also influences knowledge score.
ABSTRACT
Fertility pattern has some influence on health of mother and child as well as it can resist population growth. A cross sectional study on fertility perception among married women of reproductive age group, was carried out in 3 blocks and 2 municipality areas of Howrah District of West Bengal, India, covering 12 villages and 4 wards, selected by stratified multistage random sampling, for a period of 6 months from April to September 2009. Two thousand married women were the respondents. Respondents were mainly belonged to poor and below poverty line groups [86.7%], one third [33.4%] were illiterate and just literate group, 66.8% of the respondents belonged to Hindu by religion and 63.4% had history of teen age pregnancy and more than 50% of the respondents were married early [below 18 years]. The study revealed that perception about age of marriage, interval between marriage and 1[st] pregnancy and spacing were incorrect in case of 45.8%, 37.6% and 23% of the respondents, respectively. 22.3% and 13.1% of the respondents had no proper idea regarding desired no of children and Family Planning methods, respectively and their knowledge varied with literacy status, age and religion. Majority [67.5%] of the study population received information about family planning methods from health personnel. Correct Knowledge regarding different components of fertility among Eligible Couples to be enhanced by intervention through Information, Education and Communication [Interpersonal Communication and Mass Media]
ABSTRACT
This was a hospital-based case series study of diphtheria patients admitted to ID & BG Hospital of Kolkata from May 2004 to April 2005. A total of 107 patients were included in the study. Report of follow up of admitted patients and interview of family members were done. The study results showed that the highest number of cases (31) were among the 6-10 year age group, while the lowest was among the 16-20 year age group (12). Overall case fatality was high (12.1%). Lowest case fatality (5%) among 21 years and above age group. Case fatality was less among those patients who were admitted to the hospital within 48 hours of occurrence of clinical features. Majority of the patients (72) developed complications. Among them, only Myocarditis occurred in 51, Myocarditis with Palatal palsy in 11, only Palatal palsy in 7, while Respiratory distress occurred in 3. Most of the admitted patients were non-immunized (84). Majority of the respondents (73) have no idea regarding the mode of spread of the disease. Only one respondent had correct knowledge about the benefit of the DPT vaccine. The main reason for non-immunization was ignorance (44%). IEC for full immunization coverage and early admission with proper management are indispensable for the reduction of diphtheria morbidity and mortality.