ABSTRACT
Background: Morbidity in children is a major public health concern as this adversely affects their physical and mental growth. Moreover, poor health along with poor nutrition and disability can be barriers to attending school and to learning. Poor health and malnutrition may impair both the growth and cognitive development of primary school children. There is growing evidence of considerable burden of morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases and malnutrition in school children. Methods: The cross sectional study was done among the children of 8 Elementary schools in Vijayawada among students of age group 6 - 11 years. 664 students were included. A Child was subjected for thorough clinical examination in good day-light. Examination included thorough clinical scrutiny including anthropometric measurements and assessment of morbidity pattern. Results: Majority of the children belongs to the age group of 6-7 years (35.5%), followed by 8-9 years (33.0%) and 10-11 years (31.5%). Girls constituted 60.2% of the study population and boys constitute 39.8% of the study population. Majority of the girls are in 8-9 age group and boys in 6-7 age group. Obesity was found in 8(1.2%) children. Severe stunting was found in 15(2.3%) children. Severe underweight was found in 14(2.5%) children. The most common morbidities among the study population were Dental caries present in 32.5% children, defective vision in both eyes 28.5% children, Diarrhea was reported in 24.7% children in the last three months, Acute respiratory infections in 21.5% children in the last three months, ear wax in 20.9% children, dandruff in hair in 19.0% children, tonsil enlargement in 11.9% children & pale conjunctiva in 10.1% children. Most of the children (81.8%) had one or the other morbidity. Conclusions: Morbidity was more among lower age group, boys, Muslim religion, Nuclear family, illiterate fathers, literate mothers, upper lower class of socio-economic status, children who passed worms in stool and children with poor personal hygiene.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) are the leading cause of death in the world. Accounting for around 60% of all deaths and 44% of premature deaths worldwide. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases among allopathic doctors in Vijayawada. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on allopathic practicing doctors who were working in the various Hospitals, clinics, Nursing Homes within the corporation limits of Vijayawada city. Results: Out of the 720 study subjects, 498 doctors (69.2%) were males and 222 doctors (30.8%) were females. majority of the doctors 515 (71.5%) were with educational qualification of master degrees (MS/MD/MDS). Doctors in clinical specialty are more 565 (78.5%) compared with non-clinical 133 (18.4%) and dental 22 (3.1%). With regarding working sector, nearly one third of doctors were working in private sector 532 (73.9%). Conclusions: Because of more exposure to unhealthy life styles like smoking, alcohol, unhealthy dietary habits like high intake of salt, inadequate use of fruits and vegetables, oil fries and by leading a sedentary life and high risk factors like overweight/obesity, hypertension and diabetes a large number of the doctor’s population were at increased risk for chronic non-communicable diseases.