ABSTRACT
Background: The objective of the study was to study the association between exposure to early childhood development (ECD) interventions and responsive feeding and nutritional status among 6-35 months’ children.Methods: The present analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 360 children from a primary health centre (PHC) area under the ECD project and 360 children from comparison PHC area. The anthropometric measurement and responsive feeding was assessed and compared among 6-35 months’ children.Results: There was significant difference in mean scores of ECD activity (p=0.001) and responsive feeding (p<0.001) in ECD area as to comparison area. In the ECD program area, the proportion of children who were malnourished (33.3%) were less as compared to control area (53.9%).Conclusions: The present study shows ECD interventions at community level delivered through frontline workers resulted in improved responsive feeding practices better nutritional outcomes for children.
ABSTRACT
Background Three-fifths of total deaths in India are attributed to noncommunicable diseases, and coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the dominant causes. There are only few studies available in India to find confirmed CHD by pragmatic approach. This study aims to find prevalence of confirmed CHD and its risk factors in rural community of central India. Materials and methods This was a community-based cross-sectional study during 2013–2014 involving adults ≥60 years from 13 villages in rural central India. We screened CHD on the basis of history and standard 12-lead ECG. Apart from the past documentation of CHD, we diagnosed confirmed CHD in symptomatic patients or with resting ECG changes by means of echocardiography, exercise ECG test or coronary angiography whenever needed. Results We screened 1190 of 1415 individuals ≥60 years for CHD. Five hundred eighty were men and 610 were women. Diagnosis of CHD was confirmed in 61 individuals (29 men and 32 women). The prevalence of CHD in individuals older than 60 years was 51.3 per 1000 population. Hypertension was the only independent risk factor associated with CHD, whereas association of diabetes mellitus, obesity, socioeconomic status and smoking with CHD was not significant. Conclusion Prevalence of confirmed CHD has increased in agrarian rural community in central India, which requires further studies to find out causative factors.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To find usefulness of a package of interventions to improve preschool education through Anganwadi centers on psychosocial development of children. Methods. A case-control study was undertaken to evaluate an intervention. Eight Anganwadi centers were selected using simple random sampling out of sixteen Anganwadi centers in Talegaon PHC area where intervention was done. Ten children in age group of 4-6 years were selected randomly from each of the eight Anganwadi center in intervention arm. For each child from intervention arm, one agematched child was selected from the matched Anganwadi center. For each subject, Intelligence Quotient and Development Quotient were assessed. Results. Mean Development Quotient (DQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) values were higher among children in intervention Anganwadi centers (16.2 points for DQ and 10.2 points for IQ). This difference was found statistically significant (p = <0.01). Mean DQ among boys was found 10.1 points higher than that among the girls in control arm, this was statistically significant. According to multivariate linear regression model, the determinants of DQ were: intervention; age of the child; education of mother; sex of child; and PEM grade and the determinants for IQ were: intervention; age of the child; and income. Conclusions. This study shows that intervention to improve the Early Childhood Education and Development component through Anganwadi centers results in improvement in Developmental and Intelligence Quotient of children.