ABSTRACT
Background: Maternal nutrition is one of the most important health and welfare problems among women in developing countries. Only limited research has been conducted on the prevalence and determinants of maternal nutritional status in Maharashtra. Particularly, data on the nutritional status of pregnant women are lacking. The aim of this was to assess prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal care center.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted during September to December, 2018. Randomly selected 303 pregnant women were included in the study. Nutritional status was estimated using mid-upper-arm circumference. Data on potential determinants of undernutrition were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression. p<0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant.Results: Overall prevalence of under-nutrition among study participants was 21.8%. Using a logistic regression model, factors significantly associated with the under nutrition were rural residence (AOR=0.675; 95%CI 0.307-1.485), having less than three years duration of marriage (AOR=6.650;95%CI 2.268-19.501), living with joint family (AOR=4.128;95%CI 1.606-10.611), no utilization of family planning methods (AOR=0.319; 95%CI 0.131-0.775), less no. of ANC visit (AOR=3.253; 95%CI 1.342-7.888) and having less frequency of meal (AOR=0.319 (0.149-0.683). Remaining all factors like religion, education, occupation, family size, gravida, parity, consumption of iron and calcium tablet, getting USG done, anti-tetanus vaccination, support from family and husband were not found as significant risk factors for undernutrition.Conclusions: Integrated approach is must to combat malnutrition among pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Background: Malnutrition is widespread in rural, tribal and urban slum areas and it is a significant public health problem described as a silent killer, silent emergency, and invisible enemy affecting those who cannot express their voice and have to depend upon others for their advocacy. Numerous studies showed that education of parent’s, especially maternal education emerges as a key element of an overall strategy to address malnutrition. The best global indicator of children’s wellbeing is growth. Assessment of anthropometry is the single measurement that best defines the nutritional and health status of children, and provides an indirect measurement of the quality of life of the entire population.Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban slum area of Mumbai city, Maharashtra. Total 300 children of 0-5 years of age were enrolled in the study. A list of all the children below five years of age belonging to study area was taken from the health post situated in premises of UHTC. All mothers or primary care takers of the children were interviewed and weight and height of the children was recorded.Results: Prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 69.33%, 60.33% and 45.66% respectively. Mother’s literacy, low birth weight and morbidities like diarrhoea, fever and cough in previous fifteen days were significantly associated with malnutrition.Conclusions:Chronic malnutrition was more prevalent in this area. Mother’s literacy had a much higher impact on better nutritional status of children. Morbidities like diarrhoea, fever and cough had made the children nutritionally vulnerable as malnutrition was higher in those children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diarrhoeal diseases represent a major health problem in developing countries. Conservative estimates place the global death toll from diarrhoeal diseases at about two million deaths per year (1.7 - 2.5 million deaths), ranking third among all cases of infectious disease death worldwide. The prime purpose of an outbreak investigation is to control the outbreak, limit its spread to other areas and assess how preventive strategies could be further strengthened to reduce or eliminate the risk of such outbreak in future. Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study of epidemic occurred in Khetiya village, Dist Barwani (MP), population of 67,500 during 17 October 2016 to 17 November 2016. All the cases reported within last one week around the market place village in Khetiya, presenting with symptoms and signs of AGE (as per standard case definition of IDSP) and willing to participate in the investigation. Results: Males were 56.96%, & female cases were 43.03%. Majority of the study subjects lied between 20-40 years. The mean age was 30.15±5 years. Majority of the cases belonged to lower middle class SES (38%). 87% population was tribal, 48% cases were labourers, 42% were farmers and 10% were others. Conclusions: Males were 56.96%, & female cases were 43.03%. Majority of the study subjects lied between 20-40 years. The mean age was 30.15±5 years. Majority of the cases belonged to lower middle class SES (38%). 87% population was tribal, 48% cases were labourers, 42% were farmers and 10% were others.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rabies is an acute viral disease, which causes encephalomyelitis in virtually all the warm blooded animals, including man. Almost 20000 deaths occur in India. The present study conducted with objective to analyze the delays and compliance for anti-rabies vaccination as per schedule and its some factors among the animal bite cases. Methods: Retrospective cross sectional record based study of cases attended Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) clinic during the period of April 2012 to March 2013. The data extracted from records included socio-demographic variables, animal bite history treatment received and completion of ARV schedule. Data entered and analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: Total of 3548 animal bite cases attended the ARV clinic. Out of these cases, 18.2 %, 20.3% and 14.2% of cases not reported on scheduled date for 2nd, 3rd & 4th dose of ARV respectively. Only 34.3% of cases completed the schedule. Delay for receiving ARV among women, cases from rural area & class II animal bite was statistically significant. Conclusions: Counselling regarding follow up of ARV schedule at the time of first visit to the anti-rabies vaccine clinic must be strengthened to avoid poor compliance and delaying of schedule.