ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was done with the aim to study existing knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about neonatal care, perinatal care and its services, among mothers (pregnant and lactating mothers).Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 624 pregnant women and in mothers of newborn in both rural and urban areas around Vijayawada during the period from October 2015 to November 2017. A structured questionnaire reflecting KAP about neonatal care and perinatal care services was used in the study. The collected data was placed in a proforma and analysed.Results: Rural (53.8%) and urban (46.2%) mothers are equally represented in the present study. There is a slight preponderance of lactating mothers (52.2%). Most of the mothers are homemakers (82.1%) and belong to nuclear families (90.1%). There is a considerable deficiency in the knowledge nearly 45% ad practices nearly 40%, related to the number of ANC's. The proportion of mothers receiving baby's immunization advice from obstetrician is 18.5% and from paediatrician is 26.4%. Neonatal infection prevention was not advised in 71.3% of mothers and 23.5% mothers receive advice from obstetrician and 19.1% from paediatrician. The practice of staring first breast feed within one hour is not implemented about 88% of mothers. Nearly 30% of the mothers are not keeping the baby warm and nearly 90% of the mothers are not aware of KMC.Conclusions: The findings of the study conclude that there is a need for systematic and planned health education by the paediatrician and obstetrician to increase the KAP among mothers about neonatal health care.
ABSTRACT
Background: Fever is one of the commonest and thrombocytopenia is one of the common clinical problems in children. The current study was done with the aim to identify the frequency and the etiology of thrombocytopenia in febrile children. This study was planned to identify epidemiological observations associated with pediatric fever and with febrile thrombocytopenia children, in this area among hospitalized children.Methods: A sample of 530 children of age 6 months to 18 years were studied. Febrile children were taken as cases (n=268) and afebrile children as controls (n=262). Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were measured and compared between the cases and controls.Results: Significant proportion of 1-3 years age group of children belong to febrile group compared to afebrile group. There is no significant difference in the gender, region, WFH or BMI, WFA, HFA between febrile and afebrile children. No significant difference in pulse rate, respiratory rate; TLC, ALC, ANC, Hb; Widal test or CRP was noted between pyrexial and apyrexial children. The median platelet count, in the pyrexial group is significantly lower than that of apyrexial group. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia in pyrexial group is significantly more than that observed in apyrexial group. The commonest illness in pyrexial group is non-bacterial-probable viral illness (59.7%). In the apyrexial group the common diseases are neurological (36.6%) disorders.Conclusions: Prevalence of thrombocytopenia is 11.45% in febrile children and in afebrile children it is 2.38%. In this study, viral infections and neurological disorders are the commonest etiology in febrile group and afebrile children respectively.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rational drug use is one of the main concerns of the health care system in India. Paediatric population being more vulnerable require additional focus to achieve this goal. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the prescription patterns according to WHO guidelines and the diseases, for which they are being prescribed, to identify the common diseases and common medications used.Methods: A cross sectional study was done in the paediatrics department for a period of 2 months. All the paediatric prescriptions were evaluated using WHO core indicators like average number of medicines per encounter, percentage of medicines from the essential drug lists and also complimentary indicators like utilization of different dosage forms and diagnostic patterns. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed and represented as frequency (n) and percentage (%).Results: 89 out of 302 prescriptions had 2 medicines per encounter, 100% of medicines were included from the Essential Drug List (EDL), 59.4% of the medicines were in generic format of prescription.Conclusions: This study gives a positive outlook at the utilization pattern of drugs with all the indicators specifically Essential Drugs List. Regular auditing, continuous medical education and evidence-based medicine can help in improving the health care.