Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Depression among Housewives:A Cross Sectional Study from Rural Community of Rajasthan, India

Introduction : Depression is the leading cause of disease-related disability among women in the world today. Depression is a serious condition that can impact every area of women’s life. It affects social life, family relationships, career, and one’s sense of selfworth and purpose. To determine the prevalence andObjective: associated risk factors of depression among rural housewives aged 18–59 years. A community basedMethod: cross sectional study was carried out among 414 housewives in rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Participants were selected by simple random sampling technique. A pre designed semi structured proforma was used for collecting information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, family problems, personal history and obstetrical and gynecological history. Assessment of depression was done by using self-reported instrument Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Out of 414 Housewives, 63 (15.2%) were found to have depression. WithResults: increasing education level, there was a declining trend toward depression. Significantly higher rates of depression were observed among housewives reporting any debilitating ailments in one or more family members (31.2%), some unusual events occurred in family in past (56.2%), presence of any addiction in family members (22.7%) and debt on family (58.8%). Marriage at early age, having first pregnancy at early age, more than two children, menstrual irregularities and suffering from unable to conceive or infertility were the biological factors significantly associated with depression. Prevalence of depression was highConclusion: among housewives in rural community. Many social and biological factors were contributing towards high rate of depression among housewives

Nutritional status of children under five year of age: a cross sectional study in rural area of Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in early childhood to ensure healthy growth and development, proper organ functions and a strong immunity. Accurate assessment of nutritional status of children is a requisite in appropriate planning and effective implementation of nutrition interventions. The objective of this study is to assess nutritional status of children under five year of age in rural area and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with under nutrition.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among children aged six months to five years in rural area of Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Nutritional status of the children was assessed by measurement of mid upper arm circumference and information like birth order of children, birth weight and number of siblings was collected using a pre-coded and semi structured questionnaire.Results: Moderate under-nutrition was present in 16.8% children. Under-nutrition was present among 9.9% male and 24.2% female children. 38.1% children with birth weight less than 2.5 kg were under-nourished. Proportion of under-nutrition was 27.7% among children with number of siblings more than 2 while it was only 11.1% among those with 2 or less number of siblings.Conclusions: Gender, number of siblings and birth weight of children were significantly associated with nutrition status of children.

End stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis profiled epidemiologically at medical college of sub-Himalayan region of India

Background: Mostly, end organ damage becomes the reason for morbidity and mortality among patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due their chronicity. Derangement of renal function along with brain and heart damage are considered to be a significant problem of NCDs. The objectives of this study were on this background of end stage renal disease (ESRD) as a common complication for common NCDs, present study was planned to study the distribution of responsible NCDs.Methods: Over three-year period, all the cases reported GFR <15ml/min/1.73m2 were studied.Results: Total 100 patients (male:65) were studied with mean age of 51.0±13.0 years. Diabetes mellitus (38.0%), hypertension (28.0%), and glomerulonephritis (16.0%) were three leading cause for ESRD. Idiopathic cause was observed among 12.0% patients. Fifteen percent patients could not survive.Conclusions: NCDs mainly diabetes mellitus and hypertension observed to be most common cause for ESRD.

A study of tobacco and alcohol consumption among the elderly population residing in field practice areas of a Tertiary Care Institute

Introduction: Tobacco and alcohol use are serious public health problems in many countries including India because of the associated health hazards. It is essential to bring down the health related risk behaviors among elderly population for promotion and prolongation of healthy life. Objective: To assess health related risk behaviors viz. smoking, alcohol and tobacco consumption among the geriatric population and making comparison of rural and urban elderly people. Material and method: A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire pertaining to sociodemographic information and three common risk behaviour practices i.e. smoking, smokeless tobacco use and alcohol consumption was used for data collection. Results: Overall, 9.6% rural and 6.8% urban elderly were current alcohol users. 19.6% rural and 12.8% urban elderly were current smokers while 20.4% rural and 14.0% urban elderly were current smokeless tobacco users. Proportions of males were significantly higher among tobacco user elderly participants in both rural and urban areas. Proportions of rural elderly were significantly higher among tobacco chewers. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of health risk behaviors was high among the study population. No significant difference found between rural and urban elderly people in relation to habit of smoking and alcohol consumption.

A study highlighting the reluctant use of ORS by mothers of children under-5 years in field practice areas of Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Introduction: Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death and accounting for 9% of all deaths among children under 5years worldwide in 2015. It is both preventable and treatable. Rehydration therapy is a critical intervention to save the lives of children during the episodes of diarrhoea. Objective: Study was conducted to identify the gap between knowledge and practices of ORS use in diarrhoea among mothers of under 5 year’s children and treatment practices during diarrhoea. Material and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using pretested, semi structured interview schedule, among 320 mothers, of children under 5years who suffered from diarrhoea within two weeks before study, in field-practice areas of UHTC and RHTC, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj.) from February 2017 to July 2017. Results: Among 320 children, 50% children had diarrhoea of age >6 month to 24 months. Majority of mothers (41.5%) were educated up to secondary level. 95% mothers knew the ORS but exact knowledge about preparation and use of ORS was only 29.3%. Majority of mothers got knowledge from Doctors. ORS use was 88.7% in rural area and 85.6% in urban area. Use of Zinc preparation was 2.5% and antibiotics was 76.5% during diarrhoea. Statistically significant association was found between education of mother, vaccination of children for measles and supplementation of Vitamin A with the knowledge about ORS of mothers. Conclusion: In present study knowledge and use of ORS is fairly good but the correct preparation and use of ORS is only among 29%.

Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Masquerading as Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva is a rare lesion in pediatric age group. We are reporting a twelve year old child with hyperdynamic circulation being diagnosed and treated as Rheumatic heart disease.