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.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental caries remains the most important dental health problem in developing countries. In India the prevalence of dental caries is reported to be about 50-60%. Most of the Indian studies have been carried out in school children and very few in adults. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dental caries in the adult population (aged 35-44 years) and in the elderly (60 years and above) in an urban resettlement colony in New Delhi. METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Dakshinpuri, New Delhi, from January to February 2007. A local adaptation of the WHO questionnaire was used. Oral examination was done and dentition status was recorded by trained investigators and according to the standard procedures. RESULTS: A total of 452 participants were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of dental caries in the 35-44 years age-group was 82.4% and it was 91.9% in those > or =60 years. The DMF index was 5.7 +/- 4.7 in the 35-44 years age-group and 13.8 +/- 9.6 in the > or =60 years age-group. Of the participants, 27.9% were currently using tobacco. A statistically significant association was found between tobacco consumption and dental caries ( P = 0.026). The awareness about good and bad dental practices was found to be low among the study participants. One-fifth of the individuals with dental problems relied on home remedies. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental caries among adults is high in this population. There is a need to generate awareness about oral health and the prevention of dental caries and to institute measures for the provision of dental care services at the primary level.