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Background: Injuries and violence are among the most prominent public health problems in the world. Objective was to study the epidemiological profile of injuries in urban and urban slum areas of Rajkot city, India.Methods: A community based study was conducted in Rajkot city with sample size of 540 households. Total 30 clusters (society) were selected from 805 notified societies including 20 clusters from urban areas and 10 clusters from urban slum areas of Rajkot city. From identified cluster, 18 households were selected to achieve targeted sample size 540. All injuries reported among all household members in the last 12 months were included in the study. A total of 2,367 persons of all ages were interviewed.Results: The prevalence of injury was 14% among 2,367 study participants. Almost all injuries (99.1%) were unintentional in nature. The leading causes of injures were falls (49.2%) and road traffic accidents (RTAs) (35.7%). Significant numbers of injuries were reported among males (p<0.01). The males reported RTAs (46.9%) and females reported falls (64.2%) as a common type of injury (p<0.01). Lower limb (70.1%) was the most commonly affected body part and road (38.4%) was the most common place of injury occurrence. Average money spent by injured person was Rs. 7,000. Only 11.3 % study participants had health insurance.Conclusions: Injury prevention priorities should be focused on the leading causes such as falls and RTAs to develop specific preventive strategies.
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Background: Neonatal septicemia is the major cause of Neonatal mortality. It might be possible to reduce these deaths by early diagnosis and proper management. Objectives: (1) To find out various bacteriological agents involved in neonatal septicaemia in PDU Medical college & Hospital Rajkot (2) to findout the organisms responsible for early onset and late onset neonatal sepsis. Methods: A hospital based prospective study was carried out in 100 clinically supsected cases of neonatal septisemia in New Born Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at P.D.U Medical College & Hospital Rajkot. Results: Out of 100 neonates with clinically suspected neonatal septicemia, 62(62%) were blood culture positive. Gram negative bacteria accounted for 50(80.65%) & Gram positive bacteria accounted for 12(19.35%) of all cases. Among Gram Negative bacteria Klebsiella spp 25(40.32%) being the most common organism & Staphylococcus aureus 8(12.90%) being the most common organism among Gram Positive bacteria. Late sepsis was most commonly associated with klebsiella spp19 (41.3%).Conclusion: Neonatal septicaemia should be diagnosed urgently to reduce the mortality. Suspected infection based on clinical criteria need to supported by microbial investigation to find causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern.
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Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTI), including sexually transmitted infections (STI), impose a burden of mortality & morbidity through their impact on reproductive & child health, resulting in serious economic, social & psychological consequences. Appropriate treatment of RTI/STI in combination with health education is of major public health importance. Objectives: To study prevalence of STI & factors affecting STIs among married women of reproductive age group in rural area of Parol Primary Health Centre under Thane district. Materials & Method: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 415 married women of reproductive age group selected by stratified simple random sampling from each villages of respective sub centres of Parol PHC for a period of one year. Results: Of the surveyed women (415), prevalence of STI symptomatically was 39% & clinically 32.3%. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal discharge (42%) followed by Burning Micturition (24.7%), Vulval itching (17.3%), Lower abdominal pain (12.3%) & Genital ulcer (3.7%). Out of 415 surveyed women, 49.3% women were diagnosed as having cervicitis & 50.7% women were diagnosed as PID clinically. Almost more than half of the symptom-positive women were of 25-34 years of age. The prevalence of STI decreased with the level of education. Higher prevalence of STI was found in lower socio-economic group, women living in joint families, those having more number of children & women who were using reused cloth during menstruation. Conclusion: In view of the higher prevalence of STI among rural women, primary health care level needs to be strengthened in respect of reproductive health & awareness about reproductive health issues should be raised through suitable communication in order to bring about a positive behaviour change.
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Background: Mamta divas is an important health program implemented in India to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate. According to WHO, most maternal deaths are preventable if women have access to basic medical care during pregnancy, delivery and post partum period. Objectives: To assess utilization of Antenatal services by pregnant women attending Mamta Divas in rural areas of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. Methods: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out in 22 sessions (Mamta divas) selected by simple random sampling from 11 Talukas of Bhavnagar district & 210 pregnant women interviewed by pre tested questionnaires. Results: Most of the pregnant women were registered in first trimester (61.4%). Only 63% and 65.3% of them received two doses of tetanus toxoid & Iron folic acid supplemetaion respectively. During their visit, 23.8% of pregnant women were counselled for nutrition, 25.2% for danger sign of pregnancy and 20.5% for institutional deliveries. Conclusion: Health education of all pregnant women should be done at individual level by female health worker. All pregnant women should be counselled for institutional deliveries & all components of Antenatal care. More emphasis should be put on identifying the danger signs, examining the abdomen, & Hb and urine examination during visit at Mamta divas.
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Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for females still it is associated with some degree of sufferings & embarrassment. In spite of relative openness in the society, the menstrual hygienic practices have not changed much. Objectives: To study the menstrual pattern, disorders & hygiene practices among Adolescent girls of Mahila College in Bhavnagar City. Materials & Method: Present cross-sectional study was conducted among 68 adolescents from Mrs. N.C.Gandhi & Mrs. B.V.Gandhi Mahila Arts & Commerce College, Bhavnagar city. Information was obtained in a self administered questionnaire in a local language related to menstruation after verbal consent. Once the girls have finished filling up the Performa, open discussion & health education was given to the adolescents regarding menstruation & myths related to it. Results: The mean age of menarche was 14.5. Most of the girls (85.3%) had the prior information about menstruation & the most common source of information was from family members (mother & sister) & least common was school teacher. The most common menstrual pattern was >30/3-5 days. Dysmenorrhea was the main menstrual problem reported by them (66.2 %). 66.2 % girls used old plain cloth as menstrual absorbent. Conclusion: Menstrual problems particularly dysmenorrhea is common among adolescent girls. In most of the girls’ menstrual hygiene practices found to be poor. So the teachers, family members, health educators & media play very important role in improving menstrual hygiene in adolescence, so there won’t be any misconception to adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene.
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Background:Due to rapid urbanization health status of people living in urban slums becomes a topic of priority for public health and urban health planners. Living conditions have a direct impact on public health. One of the biggest challenges that face urban planners worldwide is the proliferation of slums in urban areas and the host of health hazards that they bring along in their wake. This paper presents a health affliction and social diligence of slum women in Anand district.Aims and Objectives: To find out the status of women (in slum areas) in terms of adjustment and support system in their family. To understand the association between background personal profile of the respondents and their health condition. Materials and Methods: It is a descriptive, cross- sectional observation study conducted over a period of six months. 819 slum women within the age group of 16 years to 66 years; were selected using systematic random sampling method from the 8 slum pockets, exists on the national highway no. 8 and adjoining the railway track. Results: Majority of the respondents i.e 89% were migrants from Bihar, Orissa, U.P and M.P. Only 15% women eat together as a family, while 65% eat in last, 10% eat which was left over of children and 5% survive on snacks given at the workplace. 63% have skin problems, 44% have eye problems, 57% have dental problems. 16% have expressed conflict with husband due to alcoholism and 8% due to extra- marital sex of husband. Conclusion: Inspite of shouldering multiple responsibilities such as bread- earner, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, daughter, sister; almost all slum women have no/ little stake in the family and they are victimised to extremely poor health care.