ABSTRACT
Background: Little information is available about prevalence of skin conditions among schoolchildren of North India. Low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor standards of hygiene are important factors accounting for distribution of skin diseases in developing countries such as India. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to estimate point prevalence of common skin diseases affecting schoolchildren in the age group of 6–15 years in Jalandhar district of Punjab. Materials and Methods: A total of 6000 schoolchildren of the age group of 6–15 years were examined in a random sample of government school in urban and rural area of Jalandhar district. Of these children with common diseases were identified. Out of these children with skin diseases were further studied. The data were statically analyzed. Results: Out of the total schoolchildren in the age group of 6–15 years examined, 11.9% were having one or the other form of identifiable disease. Out of these, 13.7% were having skin diseases. Conclusion: The common reason for prevalence of such diseases was poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor standards of hygiene. Hence, awareness programs among schoolchildren regarding taking affordable balanced diet and care of their personal hygiene were advised.
ABSTRACT
Background: Estimating the HIV seroprevalence in a low-risk population such as pregnant women provide essential information for monitoring trend of HIV in the general population and assist in prevention from mother-to-child transmission. Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women during the past 5 years in Jalandhar dist. of Punjab (2016–2021). Materials and Methods: All pregnant women coming to Antenatal Clinic in urban and rural areas, in Government health institutions were tested for HIV as a mandatory procedure, to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child. The results of these tests were taken from HIMS reports of rural and urban health institutions in Jalandhar district, from local health authority for the past 5 years (2016–2021), after taking permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. Comparison of year-wise positivity was done after statistical analysis. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of rural and urban population. Results: The data shows that HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Jalandhar District for the past 5 years shows a decreasing trend. Prevalence which was 0.17% in 2016–2017 was reduced to 0.11% in 2020–2021. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV among pregnant women has shown a decreasing trend in Jalandhar district during the past 5 years (2016–2021).