ABSTRACT
Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) forms the backbone of NRHM who provides promotive, preventive, and curative health facilities in especially the vulnerable groups. There is a need to comprehensively look into the knowledge and performance of ASHA in terms of her job responsibilities in maternal health, hence this study was conducted to assess knowledge regarding maternal health care among the ASHA workers and to assess the impact achieved after the training programme.Methods: Community based interventional study was conducted among ASHA’s in Jawadhu Hills between April to July 2017, a pretested semi structured questionnaire was administered to elicit the knowledge of ASHA in regard to maternal health care. After the initial assessment, an intervention training programme was conducted based on a module prepared in their native language and post training assessment was done after two months. The statistical tests used were proportions, chi-square test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.Results: Based on the initial assessment around 60% of ASHA knew about the core ANC, which statistically (p<0.05) improved after the training programme. Based on danger signs of pregnancy less than 10% knew about vaginal bleeding (3.8%), swelling of legs (4.8%), visual disturbances (6%) which statistically (p<0.05) improved after the training.Conclusions: Knowledge of ASHAs on various aspects of maternal health care was moderately adequate, before the training programme and it was significantly improved after the training programme, which shows that there is a need for regular fixed training programme to maintain the performance of ASHA
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression among elderly is an important public health problem responsible for considerable morbidity and disability. Causes of depression are multifactorial and often preventable. As there was dearth of community studies in Tamil Nadu, the present study was undertaken. Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and to assess the factors which are associated with depression among elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from July 2014 to July 2015 among elderly in Kattankulathur block with a sample size of 690 by cluster sampling method. House-to-house interview was conducted using a predesigned, pre-tested questionnaire, and depression was assessed using geriatric depression scale-30. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (Trial). The statistical tests used were proportions, Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 35.5% (95% confidence interval: 31.9%�.0%). Sociodemographic factors such as female sex, nuclear family, being widowed, unemployed status, low socioeconomic status, financially dependent, medical factors such as cardiac disease, visual impairment, arthritis, anemia, life events such as conflicts in family, death of the family member or close relative, and illness of self/family member were significantly associated with depression (P < 0.05). Conclusions: More strength of association for depression was seen with low socioeconomic status, nuclear family, low-intensity work, conflicts in the family, death of family members using multiple logistic regression. These findings show the need for proper care by the family members and counseling for the elderly which are of much importance in preventing depression.
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 150 rural women in the age group of 30-50 years in a primary health centre area in Tamil Nadu. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was estimated using National Cholesterol Education program (NCEP), Third report Adult Treatment Panel ATP III criteria, and Modified NCEP ATP III criteria for Asian Indians. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be 30.7% based on NCEP, ATP-III Criteria. Based on the Modified NCEP, ATP-III Criteria, the prevalence was found to be 36%.The most commonly observed components of metabolic syndrome in this study was increased waist circumference (56.0%) followed by low HDL (45.3%), high triglyceride (37.3%), high blood pressure 29.3%, and fasting blood sugar 12.7%. Identifying the risk factors and treating patients with the metabolic syndrome is a public health challenge especially in the rural population.
ABSTRACT
A population based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the awareness, attitude, and treatment seeking behaviour regarding TB in rural Tamil Nadu. Out of 1985 people interviewed, 56% had heard of TB, but 80% were not aware of the cause and mode of spread of TB. Television was reported to be the main source of information (45%). Only 34% people were aware that treatment for TB was available free of cost. Less than 10% people felt the need to maintain confidentiality, if contracted TB. More than 80% people preferred to visit Government hospital, if developed TB, whereas 54% actually sought treatment from government hospital for cough of more than three weeks.