ABSTRACT
Background: It has been possible to set up special newborn care units (SNCUs) and to improve the survival of newborns in India. However, several challenges remain affecting their effective functioning. Different approaches have been attempted and several policies have also been implemented to address this issue. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing best practices in neonatal care by onsite mentoring in an SNCU over 4 months. Methods: The mentoring team was from a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka. The SNCU was functioning at the district hospital, catering to approximately 3500 live births per year. Onsite mentoring was carried out from August 2016 to November 2016. This was a prospective implementation research. Framework focused on infection control, preterm care, care at birth, advocacy for infrastructure and resources, and facility-based refresher training. Results: A total of 16 visits were done by the mentoring team and 2 weeks of in-house residency. There were improvements in hand hygiene compliance from 0% to 87.5%, in cleaner IV site (from 50% to 100%), decreased unnecessary oxygen administration (from 75% to 33.3%), decreased antibiotic usage (from 70.5% to 35.5%), decrease in the number of babies receiving >5 days of antibiotics (from 41.6% to 0%), and increased kangaroo mother care initiation rate from 0% to 41.6%. The facility got level IIA accreditation by the end of the intervention period. Conclusions: Onsite mentorship program of SNCU is feasible and planning should be contextual. With the problems being uniform across most facilities, the model could be replicated across the country.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rural school children are more vulnerable victims of undernutrition and its consequences. On that ground, rural govt. primary school children were examined on the basis of height, weight and few background variables to find real picture of nutritional status. Objective: To assess nutritional status of govt. rural primary school children in Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study adopting a multistage random sampling technique was conducted among 600 govt. primary school children of rural communities of Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh. Anthropometric measurement like weight for age and height for age was recorded to assess nutritional status. Data were collected by interview and physical examination and were analyzed with SPSS10.0 Results: Among 600 children, 36.0% were in Grade I malnutrition, 37.7% in Grade II malnutrition, 6.3% in Grade III and 19.0% of children were stunted and 4.0% were severely stunted. Girls (20.1%) were more stunted than boys (17.9%). Conclusions: The study concluded that despite adoption of several measures to curb the malnutrition, still high prevalence of undernutrition was observed in govt. rural primary school children in India and to be addressed properly immediately.
ABSTRACT
Background: To study the nutritional status of the street children in Khammam city. Methods: Type of study: A prospective and descriptive study. Study Population: All the street children in the city who are less than 18 years of age. 3 Sample size: out of total 384 street children in the city, 250 were included in the study. Selection criteria: Children in different age groups of both sexes were selected. Data regarding nutritional and health status was collected by using pretested structured questionnaire after obtaining proper consent. Results: A total of 250 street children were interviewed. Out of total 250 children included in the study 162 (68.4%) were undernourished (BMI< 18.5).157 (62.8%) were suffering from nutritional anaemia. 38 (15.2%) children had various symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency.( Night blindness 8%, conjunctival xerosis 1.2%, Bitots spots 6%).A total of 62 (24.7%) children had various symptoms of group B vitamins deficiencies. Conclusion: There is an urgent need of coordination among development agents working for the rights of street children and information sharing among all stakeholders to enhance implementation strategies.
ABSTRACT
Background: The objective was to study the health status of the street children in Khammam city and to study the socio-cultural environment of the street children in Khammam city. Methods: Type of study: A prospective and descriptive study. Study Population: All the street children in the city who are less than 18 years of age. 3Sample size: out of total 384 street children in the city, 150 were included in the study. Selection criteria: Children in different age groups of both sexes were selected. A total of 150 street children were included in the study. Data regarding socio-cultural environment and health status was collected by using pretested structured questionnaire after obtaining proper consent. Results: A total of 150 street children were interviewed (Males 86 and females 64). The mean duration of stay on street was 5.31 years. Nearly 10% of children were illiterate. The overall personal hygiene of the children was very bad. 97 (64.7%) children were malnourished. 6.7% of children had scabies. 30.66% children were anaemic. 46% children had Vit A deficiency. 17.33% children had Vit B deficiency. 34.7% children had visual problems. 18.66% children had ear and hearing problems. 60.66% of children had dental problems. 5.3% children had some psychiatric problems. 42.66% children had various addictions. Conclusion: There is an urgent need of coordination among development agents working for the rights of street children and information sharing among all stakeholders to enhance implementation strategies.