ABSTRACT
Background: Hearing loss continues to be one of the most common birth defects in the world. But recent technological advances allow for identification of hearing loss soon after birth and management with various hearing aids. Present study gives baseline information on use and impact of hearing aids in deaf and dumb children. Methods: It was an institution based cross-sectional study covering 687 children from 3 deaf and dumb institutes in Ahmedabad. Pre-design proforma was used to collect information on their grades of hearing loss, use of hearing aid, cochlear implant, etc. Data was analysed in Epi-info 7. Results: Out of Total 687 deaf and dumb children there were 415 (60.41%) boys and 272 (39.59%) girls. All children had gone through audiometry. 513 (74.67%) children were visiting ENT specialist at regular interval. Most of the children 610 (95.61%) uses hearing aid machines and few of them 49 (7.44%) gone for cochlear implants. 549 (97.86%) children improved their skill after use of hearing aid. Conclusion: Use of hearing aid improves attention and confidence among deaf children. Regular follow up is also necessary in these children. Collective efforts from government, ENT specialists and community are much needed for rehabilitation of deaf and dumb children.
ABSTRACT
Background: The global estimates of HIV/AIDS cases and especially the growing number of women and children being infected and affected by it, raises serious concern. In the absence of a vaccine or cure for HIV infection, our only option is to promote awareness and sexual behaviour change for primary prevention of HIV. Aims & Objective: (1) To study the Socio-demographic and the Clinico-epidemiological profile of HIV positive people (cases) and general population (controls); (2) To study the various risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS transmission in HIV positive people and general population. Material and Methods: It was a case-control study in Infectious Disease clinic. A structured, open ended and pretested proforma was used to interview HIV positive and negative patients attending Infectious Disease clinic, Ahmedabad. Prior verbal and written consent was taken. This study included 600 HIV positive cases and 600 HIV negative controls of all ages attending clinic during January-December 2011. Results: The study included 600 patients in cases and 600 patients in control groups. Total 466 (77.66%) patients were in sexually and economically reproductive age group of 25-49 years in case group and in control they were 454 (75.66). Maximum 83.3% were positive through hetero-sexual route and 72% were having one or more clinical symptoms in case group. Unsafe sexual practices were more in cases 133 (22.2%) than control 66 (11%). High risk behaviour was more in cases 49 (8.2%) than control 13 (2.2%). Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for strict adherence to their Highly Active Ante-retro viral Therapy (HAART) & awareness about disease in order to have better prevention of spreading disease in community.
ABSTRACT
Background: Data on eye diseases among non-schooling children is very rare. Considering the fact those 19 million visually impaired children, 12 million children are due to refractive errors while 1.4 million are irreversibly blind for the rest of their lives. Early detection and treatment of ocular morbidity among children is important. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of ocular morbidity among urban-slums, non-schooling children of age 0-15 years. Methods: A cross sectional community based study was carried out in five slum areas of urban health training center, Asarwa, adopted by Dept. of Community Medicine to cover non-schooling children of below 15 years of age, from November 2010 to December 2010. Information was collected on a pretested semi structured proforma. An ophthalmologist from Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) did visual acuity and detailed ophthalmic examination. Data was analyzed with appropriate statistical tests like simple proportions and chi-square (x2) test. Result: Total 391 (14.2%) children in urban –slums community, who were not going to school, were included. Prevalence of ocular morbidity was 21.2%, Trachoma 4.9%, vitamin A deficiency 3.6 %, conjunctivitis 3.3%, refractive errors 3.3% squint 2.5% & color blindness 1.0%. Overall prevalence of ocular morbidity in government hospital and non-schoolings did not show any statistical significant difference. Conclusion: A high prevalence of ocular morbidity among non-schooling children was observed. School health services should be further expanded as child health check-up for the benefit of non-schooling children as well.
ABSTRACT
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is the single most important child survival intervention, the Eleventh Five Year Plan will concentrate on promoting optimal breastfeeding practices among women at home and in health facilities .The present study was, therefore, conducted to assess the use of Commercial Formula and breast Feeding among the rural & urban community of Ahmedabad district.Material and Method: This study was carried out in Urban and Rural communities of Ahmedabad District. Grade I PEM was seen in 138 (45.5%) Grade II in 126 (41.59%) & Grade III in 12 (03.96%) children. In the present study showed that out of total 603 children were studied in the age group of 0-24 months. Result and Discussion: In study group 19.16 % were from 0-6 months while 43.64% of children were of 7-12 months of age. 287 (95.66%) mother said that breast-feeding started immediately after birth. 234 (78.00%) mother said that commercial weaning food are not more nutritious than breast milk. While for rural areas, Almost 262(86.46%) mother had correct knowledge that breast feeding is given up to 4-5 month of age. 293 (96.70%) mother said that breast-feeding started immediately after birth. The difference of the feeding practice of urban rural area was found statically significant. These finding of our study were compared with the findings of District Level Household Survey-3(DLHS3) which shows significant improvement in the immunization in both urban & rural areas.