ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco usage in adolescents & young adults of state Uttar Pradesh of India is rising to an alarming level; although strategies to curtail them are also running; but the rising usage, can be better known by exploring the role of their perceptions regarding the usage of tobacco. Methods: This cross sectional study was done on total 400 (200 adolescents aged: 10-19 years & 200 young adults aged 20-30 years) by simple random technique using in-depth-interview schedule for 3 months in district Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) in India. Results: The 41% Adolescents (AD) and 54.5% Young Adults (YA) were using tobacco (X2 =5.0, P <0.05); and this was mainly in smoked form (62.1% in AD & 54.1% in YA) and that too in the form of cigarettes in AD (56.8%) and bidi in YA (69.4%). Majority of them had also no knowledge regarding harmful effects of tobacco usage in AD & YA groups (50% & 41.2% respectively). Only 39% of AD group and 23% of YA group wanted to quit tobacco in future, that too only for saving money (43.7%) in AD group as compared to 40% of YA group who wanted to leave tobacco to remain healthy despite the information regarding harmful effects of tobacco from family/educational institutions level (X2 =8.1, P <0.05). Conclusions: Tobacco usage perceptions among adolescents and young adults in rural area are not healthy; as per results of this in-depth analysis, for which serious efforts from multiple levels are required to safeguard the health of our future generations.
ABSTRACT
Background: Although more than one-third of under six year children in Delhi slums are undernourished; but what is the situation in rural areas of Delhi - a capital of India, it is not very clear. Moreover the research in rural area on topic has also not received much focus in past. Methods: The study was done in the Narela area (a Rural ICDS project in Delhi). All the eligible 450 children between the age group 0-5 years as found in the survey register of ICDS project for 2 Anaganwadi Centre’s (AWC-A & AWC-B) at the time of data collection, were included in the study. The prevalence of undernutrition in 2 AWCs was determined and it was compared with records of 2 AWCs. The primary and secondary data was triangulated to confirm pattern scenario of undernutrition. Results: In Rural ICDS Block, the prevalence of underutrition came out 57.8%.The difference in nutritional grades of undernutrition in the study were not statistically significant (P >0.05) as per their the registration status at AWCs in ICDS scheme. The type of family and family income of household however were statistically significantly associated with the nutritional status of child (P <0.01). Conclusions: The undernutrition is prevailing in rural area of Delhi (India), despite the presence of ICDS scheme; suggesting that other host factors in family are also important and service delivery factors in nutrition and health programmes also needs radical relook for tackling undernourished children in Delhi.
ABSTRACT
Background: The role of RHTC set up under MCI requirement of medical colleges is rising in implementation of NRHM phase 2 programme (2012 onwards); as private medical colleges are expanding in India and they can be an important supporter in public-private partnership for national health programmes. Objective of current study was to assess the role of rural health training centre as a supporting component to a primary health care system for NRHM programme. Methods: The present study was carried out by comparative evaluation of the rural health and training centre of a private medical college with a sub-centre (Muzaffarnagar) on key RCH services of NRHM: a) Family planning materials distribution, b) ANC services and c) Immunization services. Inclusion criteria: Proper ethical approval from both primary health care system and private medical college authorities were obtained for the study. Study design: Prospective evaluation based study on ANM in SC & SN in RHTC in NRHM programme for 1 year duration from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013. Data analysis: The statistical data was analysed by Epi-info version 7.1.3. Results: The ANC services, family planning services and immunization services delivered under NRHM programme was found to statistically significantly contributed (P <0.05) by SN of RHTC as compared to ANM of SC in area of Bilaspur, Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh). Conclusion: RHTC of a private medical college in Muzaffarnagar (UP) is significantly contributing and supporting in RCH services of NRHM programme for primary health care system. RHTC of medical colleges can be an asset for public private partnership in NRHM programme.
ABSTRACT
Background: Currently adolescents mortality and morbidity in rural areas is featured by many causes such as communicable as well as non-communicable diseases apart from accidents, suicides etc which lead to illness or premature death later in their life and their usage of rural health centre services is also emerging to be a new issue. That’s why it is important to study this area critically. Aims & Objective: To study the rural health centre services utilization by adolescents. Materials and Methods: This was prospective study carried out from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013. The study was carried out at the rural health and training center (RHTC), Bilaspur of Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar (UP) which covers 6 villages. All adolescents attending OPD in year 2013 according to the WHO defined criteria of adolescents (10-19 years) and who gave consent were included and enrolled in this study. Adolescents who did not attend OPD and those who did not give consent for participation in study at RHTC Bilaspur were excluded. Results: The study found that the majority of female patients utilized OPD services of RHTC (53.3%) but main health care service utilized among adolescents was Medical Problem (20.5%) whereas Obstetrical & Gynaecology problems were least (13.8%). Among the other services; most common utilized were dressing for injuries (11.3%) and least utilized were, immunization services (0.8%). Conclusion: The usage of health services utilization of RHTC suggests that there are emerging problems in different health specialties among adolescents, so this area needs further research in future studies.