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Background: Breastfeeding is one of the most important determinants of child survival, birth spacing, and prevention of childhood infections. The beneficial effects of breastfeeding depend on breastfeeding initiation, its duration, and the age at which the breast-fed child is weaned. Data from NFHS-4 suggest that in India, in Gujarat where only 56% of infants are exclusively breastfed and 50% of infants are initiated with breastfeeding within one hour of birth. This study was planned to identify the gaps in breastfeeding practices so that necessary interventions can be designed and thereby implemented. The objective is to study the breastfeeding practices of mothers having children below 2 years of age in the field practice areas of the medical college and to associate the findings of these practices with the socio-demographic characteristics of the population.Methods: The study conducted was a community based cross-sectional one in the six villages of RHTC of PIMSR. The study was conducted by surveying a total of 204 mothers to study their breastfeeding practices which were categorized into ‘good’ and “not so good’ practices. From this the total score was calculated and associated with socio-demographic variables.Results: Majority of the mothers were in the age group 18-22 and educated up to ‘primary’ and most of them were from social class IV and V. Only 23% of the mothers had adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. About 70% practiced both early initiation of breastfeeding and feeding colostrum whereas nearly 80% practiced exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: It is concluded from the study that even though the practice of breastfeeding was found quite good, the gaps in the knowledge and practice must be addressed through health education and support through peer and health groups. Documenting the success stories will go a long way for community education and behavioral change in communication at the community level for adequate breastfeeding practices.
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Introduction :According to a publication in 1986by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Pneumoconiosis and Smoking, workers in cotton processing industries have the risk of developing obstructive respiratory conditions such as Bysinosis and Occupational Asthma, due to prolonged exposure to inhalable cotton dust particles, bracts and pericarps as well as to bacteria and fungi that may grow on cotton products. Objectives:To identify the presence of Respiratory symptoms among those exposed to cotton dust and To associate the findings with the duration of exposure of cotton dust. Methods :The study carried out was cross sectional and in 3 cotton industries in Surendranagar city. A total of 144 workers who consented for the study were selected and were interviewed and examined for respiratory signs. Results :Nearly 78% of the subjects had respiratory complaints. Most of the workers had had a more than 10 year exposure to cotton dust. Majority of symptoms were dyspnoea and expectorations. Nearly 95% of the subjects had the habit of consumption of smokeless tobacco. Conclusion:It can be concluded from the study, that the risk factors for Respiratory diseases are highly prevalent among workers employed in industrial set ups involving respirable dusts. More than 80% of the workers had 10 yrs or more years of exposure to cotton dust and the association of the exposure with the respiratory problems was proved statistically significant.
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Background: H1N1 virus has caused a major pandemic worldwide creating a global havoc. The Infection till now has claimed over 14,000 lives. Even after the declaration of the end of pandemic there are still epidemics & sporadic cases reported from many parts of India, which shows that the lacunae left in the awareness among the people. Aims & Objective: (1) To find out the awareness regarding H1N1 influenza among urban population of Surendranagar. (2) To elucidate the correlation of the awareness with the socio demographic characteristics. Material and Methods: Sample selection was by simple random technique & size of the sample was 742. A cross sectional house to house survey was carried out. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS for windows. Results: Out of the 742 subjects, 272 were males and 470 females with mean age of 37.31 ± 17.58. Out of the total no. of subjects, only 430 (57.95%) had heard of swine flu. Majority of the families (70.88%) were from Social Class 1 (Modified Prasad’s Classification). Out of those who had heard of swine flu, 43.48% of the individuals knew that the disease transmission was through Coughing, sneezing and airborne. About 42.99% of subjects knew about the major symptoms like fever, coryza and dyspnoea. Conclusion: There was a large no. of individuals in the population who had not heard of swine flu, indicating that in spite of the health education; there has been some loophole in conveying the knowledge regarding the disease to the people, showing an urgent need of more large scale IEC activities.
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Background: The recommended strategies for a woman with PROM at term have changed considerably during the last several decades. PROM occurs in about 10% of patients beyond 36 weeks of gestation. IV oxytocin infusion has stood the test of time as labor inducing agent but associated with high perinatal and maternal morbidity. Misoprostol is gaining increasing interest as an alternative induction agent. Aims & Objective: (1) To study the efficacy and safety of labor induction with Intravaginal misoprostol and i.v. oxytocin in women with premature rupture of membranes beyond 36 weeks of gestation. (2) To evaluate & compare the efficacy between vaginally administered misoprostol with i.v. oxytocin. Material and Methods: A prospective randomized study was carried out where 200 women admitted to department of obstetrics & gynaecology, pravara rural hospital, PMT, Loni with PROM beyond 36 weeks of gestation were included where 100 each were included in two groups-Vaginal misoprostol group & oxytocin infusion group. Results: Nearly 58% of the cases of PROM were in the age group 21-25 yrs. No significant association was found between prevalence of PROM with parity. It was seen that lesser the pre induction bishop’s score, more was the time required for a patient to go into active labor. The induction-delivery interval was significantly higher in oxytocin group compared to misoprostol group. Conclusion: Misoprostol is a better inducing agent than oxytocin in low bishop’s score & unfavourable cervix. Misoprostol is an effective & safe agent for induction of labor in women with PROM.
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Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in about 10% of patients beyond 36 weeks of gestation. In this situation, labor induction with prostaglandins, has been proved to be beneficial and results in decreased chorioamnionitis, neonatal antibiotic therapy, neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission, and increased maternal satisfaction. Many techniques for induction of labor are available. This prospective randomized comparative study was thus taken up to compare the outcomes of misoprostol versus oxytocin with respect to the maternal and neonatal outcomes and patient satisfaction. Methods: A prospective randomized study was carried out where 200 women admitted to department of obstetrics & gynecology, Pravara Rural Hospital, PMT, Loni with PROM beyond 36 weeks of gestation were included where 100 each were included in two groups- vaginal misoprostol group & oxytocin infusion group. Results: Nearly 58% of the cases of PROM were in the age group 21-25 yrs. Vaginal deliveries were 42% in misoprostol group, where as 44% in oxytocin group; whereas LSCS were 7% in misoprostol group and 5% in oxytocin group. Maximum number of cases had APGAR score between 7-10 in both the groups. Patients with misoprostol induction were more satisfied as compared to patients with oxytocin induction. Conclusions: Labor induction with oxytocin infusion for PROM beyond 36 weeks in an unfavorable cervix is associated with longer duration of the second stage and a higher risk of cesarean delivery for failure to progress in comparison to those with transvaginal misoprostol. Patients with misoprostol induction were more satisfied as compared to patients with oxytocin induction.
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Introduction: Increased attention to health promotion and disease prevention are important for the appropriate care of the elderly. With the increasing life expectancy, a focus on preventive measures to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life in old age has also developed. To that end, health behavior and lifestyle have become important areas of concern over the last 20 years. Social factors lay a significant impact on the health practices. This study was therefore taken up to study the above factor and draw conclusions. Aims and objectives: 1. To study the various health practices of the elderly. 2. To find out association between the socio demographic features and the prevailing health practices. Methods: A Cross sectional analytical study was carried out. All the subjects were interviewed personally to know the details and were treated with due respect after a consent. Out of all the talukas in rural Surendranagar, Sayla was selected randomly after which Sayla village was selected in a similar manner from all the villages in the talukas. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 68±7.5. Majority of the subjects were unemployed and illiterate (58%). Social factors like Social class, staying with children and staying in joint family were significantly associated with good health practices. Conclusions: The Health practices of the elderly can be improved upon by large scale health education programmes which can be targeted on the age group. Patient compliance improvement can be achieved by explaining them about the disease and treatment protocol in detail at the time of their health visit.