ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescents are at the peak of growth velocity and warrant special consideration as they undergo enormous psychological, physical as well as cognitive changes. The Government of India implemented friendly adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) clinics to improve healthcare services all over the country. However, there is lack of information on the sustainability of the programme.Methods: Community workers and public health workers from randomly selected twenty sub centres for intervention from West Tripura district and control from the adjacent Khowai district were selected. Knowledge prior and post intervention at both sites of the health workers was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire on 0 day, at 3, 6 and 12 months. Difference of knowledge score was analysed by paired t-test.Results: The mean knowledge score significantly differed at pre-intervention and immediately post intervention (p<0.01). The knowledge score was sustained even after 12 months of intervention among public (14.63±3.01) and community health workers (12.53±2.91). However, at the control site, a gradual decrease was noted over duration of 12 months. Intervention also considerably increased the utilization of ARSH clinics by both male and females in comparison to previous year’s data.Conclusions: The intervention and increased sustainability of acquired knowledge over 12 months seem to enhance the capacity for the adolescent clinics. Therefore, training the health workers to manage various sexual and reproductive health issues along with creating a friendly environment for adolescents is indispensable in the present setting.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global problem and more than 350 million HBV carriers in the world. The objective of the study is to assess awareness, practice of selected nursing students regarding risk for contracting hepatitis B and self-reported vaccination status. Methods: A Cross sectional study was conducted among 300 selected nursing students of AGMC & GBP Hospital, TMC and Dr BRAM Teaching Hospital and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Agartala during Jan to March 2015. Results: 73.3% were females and majority of them were within the age group 19-22 years (50.2%) with a mean age of 21.07 years (SD±2.321). Mean age of male and female were 21.52 (SD±2.320) & 20.90 (SD±2.315) years respectively. Majority (99.7%) of participants knew Hepatitis B is a virus. The mean knowledge score was 16.2 (SD±3.209) (p=0.000). Majority (92.7%) knew that Hepatitis B is transmissible and 63.1% of them were aware that Hepatitis B transmission was possible through unsafe sex, infected blood/body fluid contaminated syringe, needle & scalpel. Almost eighty five percent (84.7%) respondents were vaccinated with three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. Majority of the participants had accidental injuries (53.4%) case while at work and tested for HBV (75.0%). Among those who exposed were consulted doctors; used needle destroyer; vaccinated with 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine and used sterile gloves while performing work especially while dealing with blood and body fluid. Conclusion: Inspite of having good knowledge their practice for prevention of hepatitis B was not satisfactory.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dental carries is transmissible infectious disease and mother is the major primary source of infection for their children. Aims & Objective: To assess knowledge and practice of mothers of under-five children regarding dental caries. Material and Methods: 140 mothers having < 5 years old children selected through simple random sampling were interviewed using semi-structured schedule to assess the knowledge of oral health to prevent dental caries. Results: In the survey, 73.5% mothers knew about avoiding consumption of sweets/sweet fast foods/sugar beverages. A larger proportion of literate mothers were aware of regular cleaning of mouth, necessity of cleaning mouth after each feeding, sweets / sweet fast food & unclean mouth causes caries (p>0.05). They offers sweet/sweet fast food / sugar beverages more frequently, use toothpaste and brush for cleaning mouth for their children’s (p=0.010, p=0.008). A larger proportion of mothers who had an income > 3000 `/month were aware of sweets / sweet fast food & unclean mouth causes caries, necessity of regular cleaning after each feeding (p>0.05). But in spite of greater awareness of mothers a significantly lesser proportion of their children used toothpaste while brushing, do self-brushing and assisted brushing (p=00.007, 0.025, 0.022). An age group of >24 years and income > 3000 `/month were the predictors of good oral hygiene practice by mothers. Conclusion: Mothers of the study area had basic knowledge of caries prevention. However, their theoretical knowledge has been not fully reflected in the way they cared for their children's teeth.
ABSTRACT
Background: Contraceptive use in India is poor so this study was designed to detect the prevalence of contraceptive use and its determinants among eligible couples in an urban slum of Tripura. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study, conducted in the urban field practice area of Agartala Government Medical College during 15th June 2010 to 14th August 2010 among 180 eligible couples chosen by systematic random sampling. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. Results: Majority were Hindu from nuclear families. 56.7% wives and 62.8% husbands studied up to secondary level. Prevalence of contraceptive use was 43.9% and 88.9% of the study couples were aware about family planning. Tubal ligation was the most adopted and condom was the least practiced method. Decision regarding family planning was mostly made by the husband and wife jointly. Public health facilities were the main source of family planning materials and most of the study couples opined family planning as essential. Commonest reason for not practicing family planning was the desire for a son and the rest were fear of adverse effects and some non-specific reasons. The affect of caste, religion, occupation, education etc. was insignificant in determining the practice of family planning. Conclusions: Despite a high rate of desire to limit family size, less than half of the couples were currently using contraception. It was mostly due to desire for more male babies. Hence behaviour change communication for eliminating preference for male babies and measures favouring girl children may promote couple protection in this community.