Well baby visits - an experience in a squatter settlement of karachi

To determine the profile of healthy children visiting to the well child clinic in relevance to their growth and development. A cross-sectional study. The Study was conducted at the Primary Health Care [PHC] center in a squatter settlement of Karachi from December 2003 to December 2004. A cross-sectional survey of children under 3 years attending the Primary Health Care [PHC] center in a squatter settlement situated near Ziauddin Medical University [ZMU], Clifton. Karachi. It is divided into five blocks with a population of approximately 20,000. It is a low socio-economic area with poor literacy rate. For convenience of follow-up, only those children were enrolled in the well child clinic living within a distance of 5 kms. from the center. The information was recorded on a structured proforma, which included the introduction of the child; natal and pre-natal history; immunization and feeding history; past medical and surgical history; complete general and systemic examination. The growth parameters were recorded on growth chart recommended by the WHO. A total of 62 children were enrolled from birth to 3 years with a mean age and standard deviation of 2.2+1.3 years. Almost half the mothers [34 out of 62] preferred ghutti as a pre-lacteal feed, 6 preferred honey while the rest were unable to remember giving any prelacteal feed. Almost half of the children [n=31] were given colostrum. Breastfeeding was initiated in 18 children while the rest were bottle fed. The weaning age ranged from 4 to 24 months. All the children were fully immunized according to the EPI schedule. Majority of the children were malnourished [82%] and only 18% had normal weight for age according to the growth chart and Gomez's classification. It iwas found in this study that the improved nutrition can lead to improvement in child growth

Morbidity pattern and utilization of a primary health care center in a low socioeconomic area of Karachi

To identify the morbidity pattern according to age, gender and seasonal variation using the ICD coding and the utilization of Primary Health Care [PHC] center services in a demographically defined community. The data collected from 2001-2003 was analyzed using the International Classification of Diseases - 10 [ICD-10] coding for identifying the morbidity patterns presenting at the PHC Center. The age and gender distribution of the patients and the seasonal variation of few diseases were noted. Only the residents of the area visiting the center for preventive or curative services were included. A structured performa was designed to enter the age, gender, disease and ICD codes. The faculty was trained for using the coding system. A total of 13,519 patients visited the PHC during three-year period. On an average, 376 patients were seen during a month with male to female ratio of 1:2. The most common diseases presented belong to the respiratory system, followed by infections or parasitic infestations and diseases of the reproductive system. The women presented for first visit of antenatal check up were 960 out of 4614 women of reproductive age group. Among the adult population, 391 [6%] presented with hypertension, 64 [1%] were Type 2 diabetics and 86 [1.3%] were asthmatics. The paediatric population analysis showed that 918 [13%] had upper respiratory infections and 1339 [19%] had diarrhoea. Problem oriented medical records from health centers, computerized in a uniform standardized way, can give extensive information about the content and burden of health problems in family practice and presumably public health

Risk factors assessment for hypertension in a squatter settlement of Karachi

To assess the risk factors for hypertension in adults [age more than 15 years] in a squatter settlement of Karachi. Cross-sectional survey of adults more than 15 years old in a squatter settlement of Karachi through random sampling method. A total of 327 adults were approached, 165 [50.5%] were males and 162 [49.5%] females. Blood pressure was measured in 63 [38%] males and 135 [83%] females. Out of which, 11 [17.5%] males and 19 [14%] females were screened hypertensive. Hypertensives were older as compared to normotensives [p<0.001]. The mean BMI of hypertensives [25.6 + 4.5 kg/m2] was significantly higher [p=0.008] than normotensives [22.9 + 5.0 kg/m2]. Hypertensives were 9.7 times more likely to be diabetic as compared to normotensives in this study [p<0.001]. On analyzing the relationship of hypertension with other variables, no significant difference was noticed for education [p=0.68], smoking status [p=0.46], family history [p=0.31] and occupation [p=0.27]. Prevention and control of hypertension is essential as the life expectancy is increasing in developing countries as well. The main emphasis according to this study, should be on controlling the BMI through weight reduction and regular exercise. Awareness about the risk factors for hypertension among the population is required to decrease the double burden on the society