Knowledge and attitudes of rural adolescent girls regarding reproductive health issues.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls (10-19 years old) comprise about 22% of women in India. They are the mothers of tomorrow and the burden of planned reproduction rests on them. Yet very little is known about their knowledge and attitudes towards reproductive health issues--a crucial aspect if India is to achieve the net reproduction rate of 1 by AD 2016. This study aimed to gather information on areas required for the planning of family life education strategies. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the government schools and anganwadi premises of three villages of the primary health centre, Chhainsa, under the Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project Area (CRHSP), Ballabgarh, Haryana. The participants were 254 girls aged 13 to 17 years, who had attained menarche. A pre-tested interview schedule was administered to each girl after taking permission from the principals and parents and with the consent of the participants. The knowledge and attitudes regarding age at marriage, concept of small family norm, family size and preference for a son were assessed. RESULTS: All the girls were aware that there is a law regarding legal age of marriage but only 165 (65%) of them knew the correct legal age. Early marriage was preferred by 19 (7.6%). Though 214 (84.3%) girls were aware of the small family norm, only 19 (8.8%) knew the exact norm. A preferred family size of two or less was reported by 151 (59.2%). Preference for a son was reported by 233 (91.7%). CONCLUSION: All the girls were aware of the small family norm, but few could correctly define it. Though most girls preferred a two-child family, almost all of them had a preference for at least one son. This preference for a son could dominate their future decision-making. As attitude development is a long-term process, there is indeed a long way to go.

Screening for chronic impairments using medical interns in rural Haryana, India.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in life expectancy, prevalence of impairments and disabilities are expected to increase in India. However, there have been very few studies to estimate the magnitude of the problem in rural India. This is essential, if appropriate rehabilitation services are to be planned in the country. METHODS: The study was done in the rural field practice area of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Ballabgarh, Haryana. The survey was conducted by successive batches of interns posted at Ballabgarh as a part of their compulsory rotating internship programme. The diagnostic criteria were based on history and simple clinical examination done at the domiciliary level. RESULTS: A total population of 25,509 in twelve villages were screened. The total impairment rate was 5.4% with no significant men/women difference. The prevalence of physical impairment was 4.7 per 1000 population. The prevalence of corneal opacity in children below 15 years of age was 4.7 per 1000. Prevalence of cataract was almost 35% in the population over 60 years of age and 15% in the population between 45 to 60 years. Auditory impairment was 19.6 per 1000 as ascertained by history. Three-fourths of this was conductive deafness and was found mainly in people above 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: Utilizing the rural field practice areas of medical colleges for collection of data on issues of national health importance would not only strengthen the health system in the country but also improve medical education. There is a need for a comprehensive preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative approach to disabilities in India.