ABSTRACT
Introduction: Immunization is one of the most cost-effective health investments worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) in 1974 with the aim of immunizing children throughout the world. Objective: Assessment of perception about immunization among the mothers of under-five children at urban slum area of Vijayapura city. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Urban Field practice area of Community Medicine department among the mothers of under-five children residing permanently in the area and were interviewed regarding the perception about immunization to their children by using pre-structured proforma. Results: level of knowledge & perception was found average (around 50%). Nearly 40 to 60% of the participants agreed to the statements which signifies the immunization is very important to the child’s growth and development and should not be avoided. Conclusions: Providing mothers of under-five children with information about vaccination effectively increases the immunization coverage and was highly cost-effective also
ABSTRACT
Background : Pregnancy is one of the most important events in the life of Indian women. Maternal care includes care, during pregnancy and should begin from the early stages of pregnancy.Maternal mortality and morbidity remain high even though National Programs exist for improving Maternal and Child Health in India. Among several factors related to it one is less or non-utilization of free maternal healthcare services, especially amongst rural women. Objectives : To measure the utilization of free Maternal Healthcare services & to study the factors determining the utilization of free Maternal Healthcare services by Rural Women during pregnancy. Methods : The study was conducted on the women admitted in postnatal ward after delivery, by using structured proforma containing questionnaire which included socio-demographic variables, details of present pregnancy, delivery & details of utilization and non-utilization of Antenatal Care Services given by their local Government Health Facility. Also, questions were asked about the reasons regarding their preference to the Private Hospital for delivery in spite of free delivery service at Government Hospitals. Results : The early identification of risk factors during pregnancy will be possible by Ultrasonography and other investigations, which is the main reason for a greater number of visits to private hospitals during pregnancy compared to Government Health Facility. Conclusion : Strengthening of Government Health Facility in terms of specialist Manpower and Material like Laboratory/Equipment’s/Drugs to handle the complications effectively during pregnancy or delivery by the specialist is need of the hour.
ABSTRACT
Background: "Mishri" is one among the various smokeless tobacco products used in the central and southern part of India. The use of newer tobacco products is increasing not only among men, but also among children, teenagers, and women of the reproductive age-group. Objectives: To study socio-demographic profile of mishri users among pregnant women admitted for delivery into Krishna Hospital, Karad - Satara, Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: All the consecutive pregnant women admitted for delivery in Krishna Hospital, Karad over a period of 6 months were enrolled and a detailed history of use of tobacco was obtained from them. A representative sample of mishri used by them for each application was collected and weighed on an electronic weighing machine. The socio-demographic information was collected among all mishri users and age-, parity-matched controls of non-mishri users during pregnancy. Results: A total of 258, i.e., (12%) of the women delivering in Krishna Hospital were using mishri. The mean duration of mishri use was 2 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.09 years, frequency of daily application being 1.4 times with an SD of 0.55, dwell time in mouth being 10 min with an SD of 2.9 min, and the quantity of each application being 236 mg with an SD of 66.2 mg. 29% of the teenagers and 68% of the primiparas were found to be using mishri, and a majority of them were housewives, having minimum education and belonging to the middle and lower socio-economic class. It was also found that the family members played a role in influencing the habit of mishri use. Interpretation and Conclusion: A small but significant number of women who deliver in the hospital used mishri during pregnancy and were in need of de-addiction counseling.