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Background: Birth weight is a critical determinant of child survival and growth and a valuable indicator of maternal health, nutrition, and quality of life. Antenatal care (ANC) provides an array of available medical, nutritional, and educational interventions intended to reduce the incidence of low birth weight (LBW). Objective: This study was done to find out the sociodemographic and antenatal factors associated with LBW among babies delivered in a tertiary care health facility in Kolkata. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional institution based observational study conducted from November 2016 to October 2018 among 410 postnatal mothers in the postnatal ward of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal. Data were obtained by interview method along with record analysis (medical and hospital records). Dependent variable was LBW (<2.5 kg). Ethical clearance was obtained from Local Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health Kolkata and Medical College, Kolkata. Results: Out of 410 babies, 112 (27.3%) were LBW. Out of 112 LBW babies, 59 (52.7%) were preterm (<37 weeks); 51(45.5%) were term (37–42 weeks), and 2 (1.8%) were post-term (>42 weeks). Multi-variable logistic regression showed LBW to be significantly associated with poor economic status (below middle class), mothers who belonged to nuclear family, delayed registration (≥12 weeks), anemia in pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, weight gain in kg less than normal (i.e., below 9 kg), and poor consumption of specific nutritional supplements. Conclusion: Poor economic status and inadequate ANC continue to remain the most important factors for LBW. A good quality ANC package will ensure prevention of LBW babies.
ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, vector-borne diseases account for 17% of infectious disease burden. In India, despite accelerated efforts, both malaria and dengue are major public health concern. Understanding local community perspectives is essential to strengthen ongoing program activities. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the community perceptions and risk reduction practices toward prevention and control of malaria and dengue at slums of Chetla in South Kolkata and to explore the perspectives of relevant local stakeholders in this regard. Methods: This cross-sectional study with mixed-method design was conducted from June to September 2018. Quantitative data were collected in 288 sampled households through face-to-face interview of respondents and environmental checklist, whereas, qualitative exploration was done with five key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 Software. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using “cut and sort” processing technique. Results: In household survey, majority had unsatisfactory knowledge (68.4%), attitude (64.2%), and practices (62.8%) regarding diseases prevention/control, which was further substantiated by qualitative findings. The use of electric fans (79.5%), mosquito repellents (53.8%) were predominant practices; however, only a few used bed nets regularly (26.0%). Reportedly, “heat” and “poor ventilation” were key reasons behind reluctance to use bed nets. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that increasing age, proximity to a nearby canal, and unsatisfactory knowledge significantly predicted unfavorable attitude, whereas, respondents' gender and unfavorable attitude significantly predicted poor practices. Conclusions: Intensified social behavior change communication with active community participation is the need of the hour to prevent malaria and dengue occurrence and future outbreaks.
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Background: Dyslipidemia is a key independent modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and one of the main causes of the disease burden in developed and developing countries. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to elicit the proportion of dyslipidemia and its risk factors among the adult population of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 adults during August–October 2017 in Habra, an urban area of West Bengal, India. Sociodemographic data were obtained from structured questionnaire, followed by anthropometric measurement, fasting glucose, and lipid profile estimation. Assessment of dyslipidemia was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (III) guidelines. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data using SPSS 16 version. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 43.1 (±12.4) years. About 37.5% were found to have dyslipidemia. Variables which continued to remain significant in the multivariable analysis were less physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.75 [1.41, 5.39]), ever user of tobacco (AOR = 2.36 [1.12, 4.97]), hypertension (AOR = 2.52 [1.11, 5.71]), abnormal waist-hip ratio (AOR = 43.85 [21.62, 88.92]), and diabetes (AOR = 2.51[1.20, 6.69]) when adjusted for other variables in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is a known risk factor for CVD. Therefore, all steps must be taken for control and prevention of this disorder.
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Background: One's house is believed to be the safest and the healthiest place to live in. Indoor air pollution (IAP) means the presence of unwanted substances in the indoor air at concentration toxic to health. Objective: The objective of this study is to study the presence of IAP, its associated factors and impact on health of women residing in an urban slum of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done from January 2017 to March 2017 among 120 households of a slum. Data were collected using a pre-designed pre-tested schedule from the homemaker of the households. All analyses were conducted with R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. Results: About 60% households used kerosene as cooking fuel predominantly. Smoke from the neighbouring houses troubled 57.5% respondents. More than 60% houses were overcrowded and more than 70% houses were poorly ventilated. IAP-related symptoms such as irritation in the eye, suffocation, dry cough significantly correlated with the presence of IAP sources and its contributory factors. Of 120, 78 (65%) perceived the presence of IAP in their houses. Lower per capita income (PCI), ground floor, and joint family were found to have higher odds of sources of IAP. Younger age, lower PCI, and ground floor were found to be strongly associated with higher contributory factors of IAP. Conclusion: The present study found that the majority of the households were exposed to IAP due to kerosene, neighborhood smoke while overcrowding and ill-ventilation accentuated it. Effective intervention with intersectoral coordination is the need of the hour.
ABSTRACT
Background: Vitamin D deficiency/Vitamin D Insufficiency (VDI) is now recognized as a pandemic. Cutaneous exposure to ultraviolet-B causes photolysis of epidermal 7-dehydrocholesterol, converting it to pre-Vitamin D3 (precholecalciferol), which then undergoes isomerization to form the stable hormone Vitamin D3. Objectives: The objectives of the study is to determine the status of Vitamin D level among the adults residing in a rural area of West Bengal and to find out the optimal cutoff of the sun exposure for Vitamin D sufficiency. Methods: This study was a rural community based cross-sectional study. It was done from May 2016 to April 2017 among 197 adults residing in a rural block of West Bengal. Data were collected by interviewing the respondents with the help of a structured pre-tested pre-designed schedule. After interviewing, every individual was examined for height and weight and blood was collected for serum Vitamin 25-(OH) D. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to find out optimum cut-off for sun exposure using Youden's index. Binary logistic regression was performed to find out the associates of high sun exposure. All analysis was done using R. Results: Overall VDI was found in 133 (67.5%). Among them, 102 (51.8%) were female. On ROC curve for veritable sun exposure for Vitamin D sufficiency, area under curve was 0.7841 which signifies veritable sun exposure as a good screening tool. Conclusion: Proper information, education, and communication material regarding various aspects of sun exposure and Vitamin D should be prepared with due consultation of field experts and disseminated to increase awareness among the community.