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Background: Menopause is an important time in women's life and it is a natural event in the process of aging. The onset of menopause heralds a time of diminished estrogen exposure, which may have both acute and chronic effect on health and quality of life.Methods: It was a cross sectional study, conducted for a period of 3months i.e. June to August 2018 among post menopausal women in 8 selected villages with a sample size of 247.Results: The common post- menopausal symptoms were joint and muscular discomfort, bladder problems, symptoms of dryness of vagina, physical and mental exhaustion. Factors like education, occupation, socio-economic status, marital status, parity, mode of delivery, age at menopause and BMI was related to one or more menopausal symptoms. Conclusions: Proper and timely intervention among post menopausal women will help to reduce the symptoms and lead a better quality of life.
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Background: Safe motherhood initiatives was a worldwide effort launched by WHO in 1987 with an aim to reduce the number of deaths of women associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Appropriate antenatal care (ANC) is one of the pillars of this initiative and an important component of reproductive and child health. The present study was conducted to assess the utilization of antenatal care services, its contributing factors and its impact on birth weight of new-born.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 3 months at Ankuli, field practice area of urban health training centre, Department of Community Medicine. A total of 138 mothers (delivered within 2 years) were included by cluster sampling. Women who were sick and did not give consent were excluded from the study. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection and analysed in SPSS version 16. Chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression was applied at p value <0.05.Results: About 55.07% of mothers were in 25-34 years of age group, 47.82% had studied secondary education and 36.23% mothers belonged to lower middle-class socioeconomic status (SES). About 60.87% of mothers had availed antenatal services completely. Education of the participant and her husband, SES and family type were significant contributors of ANC service utilization. There was a significant association between complete ANC utilization and birth weight of the baby (p<0.05).Conclusions: The utilisation of the antenatal services was low among the mothers in our study which can be increased by proper IEC activities.
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Background: India accounts for 25% of total deaths from cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer reduces mortality by early detection and treatment. So, a study was conducted among rural women of Ganjam district with the objective to know knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical screening among them.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019 among ever married women of more than 30 years of age residing in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam district. Sample size was calculated to be 280 by formula Z2pq/l2. Multistage random sampling and PPS method were used to select participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data and all data were analysed in SPSS.Results: Among 280 participants, though 70.7% had heard about cervical cancer, only 32.5% knew that there are tests for screening. Only 13.2% of participants said that Pap smear test was to be taken regularly. However, majority didn’t know who should undergo screening test and what age tests should be started. Main source of information for them was health worker (39%). Only 14.6% had any type of cervical screening in their lifetime. The main reason for not going for screening was ignorance (53.9%) followed by thinking tests are not needed unless any symptoms appearedConclusions: Proportion of participants with proper knowledge and awareness regarding cervical cancer screening was low which led to poor uptake of screening. So, awareness regarding cervical cancer screening should be increased. Health camps and education programs should be conducted regularly.
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Background: Globally approximately 830 women die from pregnancy and child birth every day. Most of deaths can be prevented by proper planning like birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR). The aim of study was to assess awareness and practice regarding BPCR among pregnant women and recently delivered women and to identify socio-demographic factors affecting it.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from September to December 2018 in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam District among pregnant women (completed 24 weeks) and recently delivered women (12 months) regardless of newborn outcome. Sample size was calculated to be 96. Multi stage random sampling was adopted and PPS (Probability proportional to size) method was used. A questionnaire was used which contained socio-demographic information and set of 11 indicators to determine BPCR index. All data were analysed in SPSS.Results: BPCR index was 44.6% and it was higher (61%) in recently delivered women. 26% can be said to be well prepared and 45.8%, 27%, 32.3%, 37.5% knew at least one key danger sign in pregnancy, delivery, post partum and about new born respectively. A significant association was found between maternal education, age and pregnancy with awareness regarding BPCR.Conclusions: BPCR index in study area was low and a low proportion of participants were well prepared. Awareness about danger signs was quite low. So health workers at grassroots level should be encouraged to explain BPCR components to women and educational activities should be carried out to promote women to make plan a priori.
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Background: RSBY, a health insurance scheme, was launched by the Indian government to protect BPL families from incurring financial liabilities which are likely to occur due to hospitalization. Objectives was to compare over all OOPE among RSBY beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries and to estimate its extent during hospitalization in different domains among RSBY beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted for 2 months (January-February 2018) among BPL families residing in Ganjam district, Odisha. Multistage random sampling was done. Total sample size was 256, the number of beneficiaries and non beneficiaries taken was 128 each.Results: Non beneficiaries incurred higher overall OOPE higher i.e. 95.3% than the Beneficiaries and it was found to be statistically significant with x²=74.8 and P-value <0.001. Among beneficiaries out of pocket expenditure was found in 46.1% of the study population. 45.3% of beneficiaries had to borrow partially from friends and relatives to fulfil their hospital related expenses followed by 32% borrowing fully for their treatment. Among beneficiaries, most out of pocket expenditure was for life support services as they sought treatment mostly for surgical conditions.Conclusions: Health insurance coverage should be improved by increasing enrolment. People should be made aware about the services covered under the schemes.
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Background: Ocular morbidities in children can have a serious impact on development, education and quality of life in children hence require prompt attention. This study was conducted with an objective to determine the pattern of ocular morbidity in children less than 15 years of age presenting in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of MKCG Medical College, Berhampur.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2016 to January 2017 among 282 children. Data was collected by using a semi structured questionnaire after taking informed consent and analyzed.Results: Majority were in the age group of 10-14 years (55.3%). The common presenting symptoms were blurred vision (29.1%) and headache (7.8%). The common ocular morbidities reported were refractive error (34%), ocular infection (13.5%), ocular trauma (9.9%), allergic conjunctivitis (9.2%). Refractive error was more prevalent in children of aged 11-14 years and ocular trauma in 5-9 years compared to children of the other age group.Conclusions: Majority of ocular morbidities are preventable and treatable. So early attention through eye screening and intervention programme at the community level is recommended.