A Study of Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Tertiary Care Hospital, Bagalkot

Neonatal deaths account for a major proportion of child deaths globally. Major causes of neonatal deaths are preterm birth, asphyxia, sepsis, pneumonia, congenital anomalies, diarrheal diseases, and tetanus. Without a sound knowledge about the changing trends in morbidity and mortality, it will be difficult to formulate appropriate strategies in management, prevention, and review. The present study was aimed at providing statistical data related to mortality pattern seen in hospitalized neonates. Methodology: A descriptive case series study was conducted with records of the patients who were admitted in the Paediatric Department of HSK Hospital and Research Centre over a 12-month period. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and appropriate statistical test was used to interpret the data. Results: A total of 101 infants died in our hospital, among them maximum 87 (86.14%) mortality was observed in early neonatal period. Causes of mortality were classified as direct and antecedent causes. The most common direct cause was found to be birth asphyxia 35 (34.66%) followed by respiratory distress syndrome 15 (14.85%) and meconium aspiration syndrome 15 (14.85%). Congenital cardiomyopathy (n = 3) was the most common congenital anomaly. 79.35% of the neonates had low birth weight and 20.65% were small for gestational age. Conclusion: With birth asphyxia being the most common cause, education and training regarding neonatal resuscitation will play a major role in decreasing the neonatal mortality.

Psychological Stress among Grassroot Level Workers in a PHC of Bagalkot District

It is important to study the problems of the grassroot level workers and the levels of stress that they encounter. The stressed Anganwadi and ASHA workers are likely to be unhealthy, poorly motivated, less productive, and less efficient in implementing the various national programs. Objective: The objective was to study the level of stress among the grassroot level workers and the various factors related. Materials and Methods: Study design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: This was conducted at PHC of Bagalkot district. Study subjects: Grassroot level workers (Anganwadi [n = 46] and ASHA [n = 29] workers) were selected. Sample size: The sample size was 75. Data collection: Date were collected through self-reporting questionnaire schedule consisting of two schedules: (i) Sociodemographic characteristics and (ii) presumptive stressful life events scale questionnaire. Scores used in the study: Fifty-one life events were found to be experienced by the normal Indian population in the past 1 year. For each life event, a mean stress score was given. The total score was obtained for each by adding all the applicable life events scores. Accordingly, they were categorized into no stress, less/moderate stress, and severe stress. Statistical test used: Analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results: About 61.33% were Anganwadi and 38.67% were ASHA workers. 70.67% had mental stress in the past 1 year. 8% of the subjects had a family history of mental illness and 25.33% of them were practicing yoga/meditation. 66.67% of the study subjects had experienced severe stress and 26.67% has mild/moderate stress. The factors such as past history of mental illness, socioeconomic status of the participants, house construction, unfulfilled commitments, unemployment of family member, loan, beginning of school, and marital conflict are significantly associated with level of stress. Conclusion and Recommendations: Psychological stress was found to be more among Anganwadi and ASHA workers. They are suggested to practice healthy lifestyles such as yoga and meditation to relieve stress.

A Cross-sectional Study on Binge Drinking among Health Institutional Students in Bagalkot.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012, about 3.3million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption. DALY attributed to alcohol consumption is 139 million. Ad-olescence is the critical period when the first initiation of alcohol intake takes place. Sixteen percent of drink-ers of age more than 15yrs engage in heavy episodic drinking. Due to change in lifestyle a considerable num-ber of social drinking have shifted to binge drinking. Objectives: To know the prevalence of binge drinking among health institution students in Bagalkot. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 380 health institution students. Five different cadre of health institutions were taken, one medical, one dental, one Ayurveda, one nursing and one Pharmacy College. A pre designed, semi structured ques-tionnaires were used. The results were analysed by chi square test. Results: Among total 380 participants, 68% were girls and 32% were boys. Majority of the respondents were staying away from home (83%). More than one fifth (20.53%) of respondents had tasted alcohol at least once, of which more than one third (37.18%) were female. Prevalence of binge drinking was 3.16%. Among binge drinkers, 58.33% had at least one of their family members who consumed alcohol. Conclusion: Existence of risk behaviour like binge drinking among students were seen and it demands integrated approach. Increased awareness among parents and also the respondents is needed to prevent adolescent behaviours from becoming a risk to their health and community.

A Cross-sectional Study on Binge Drinking among Health Institutional Students in Bagalkot.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012, about 3.3million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption. DALY attributed to alcohol consumption is 139 million. Adolescence is the critical period when the first initiation of alcohol intake takes place. Sixteen percent of drinkers of age more than 15yrs engage in heavy episodic drinking. Due to change in lifestyle a considerable num-ber of social drinking have shifted to binge drinking. Objectives: To know the prevalence of binge drinking among health institution students in Bagalkot. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 380 health institution students. Five different cadre of health institutions were taken, one medical, one dental, one Ayurveda, one nursing and one Pharmacy College. A pre designed, semi structured questionnaires were used. The results were analysed by chi square test. Results: Among total 380 participants, 68% were girls and 32% were boys. Majority of the respondents were staying away from home (83%). More than one fifth (20.53%) of respondents had tasted alcohol at least once, of which more than one third (37.18%) were female. Prevalence of binge drinking was 3.16%. Among binge drinkers, 58.33% had at least one of their family members who consumed alcohol. Conclusion: Existence of risk behaviour like binge drinking among students were seen and it demands integrated approach. Increased awareness among parents and also the respondents is needed to prevent adolescent behaviours from becoming a risk to their health and community.

A profile of tobacco consumption among females of more than 15 years of age in field practice area of RHTC Kaladagi.

Introduction: In India it has been estimated that roughly one-third of women and two thirds of men use tobacco in any form (smoke or smokeless form).Awareness of the hazards of smokeless tobacco consumption is very low in rural populations. On the other hand, many believe that tobacco use has medicinal value for curing or palliating common ailments such as toothache, headache, and abdominal pain. Aimand objectives: 1.To know the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption among females of more than 15 years of age 2.To study the factors responsible for smokeless tobacco consumption among them. Material and methods: Study design:Across sectional study. Study setting: Rural HealthTraining Centre (RHTC) Kaladagi, Bagalkot. Study participants:Women more than 15 years of age in slum area ofRHTCKaladagi.(255) Statistical analysis: Chi square test. Results: In present study 17.6% of women were chewing tobacco. 88.89% of women were chewing tobacco because of toothache. There is association between tooth ache and tobacco consumption and it is statistically highly significant also. Chi-square value=190.8 (P<0.0000001)

A study of cytological abnormalities of pap smear and its risk factors among married women of reproductive age in urban field practice area - Bagalkot.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is both a preventable and a curable disease, preventable because the pre-invasive stage can be detected by screening and curable because the verily early stage can be cured. The incidence and mortality from this disease in developing countries is very high.Women of low socio-economic status and minority women are at particular risk for not adhering to recommended cancer screening guidelines. Objectives: 1.To study the cytological abnormalities of pap smear among married women in reproductive age group. 2.To study the risk factors of various stages of cervical dysplasia. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the urban field practice area of S Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot during 2009-2010. All married women in reproductive age group were included in the study. After obtaining a informed consent, they were interviewed with the predesigned, pre-structured proforma. Data were obtained on social and demographic factors, education, marital and reproductive history and tobacco chewing was obtained. Under aseptic precautions, pap smear was obtained. Results: In the present study, 211 married women participated, among them maximum (45%) were in the age group of 26-35 years. The pap smear report of these participants were inflammatory (57.8%). Severe dysplasia was reported in 9 women. Among the study participants, 66(31.3%) of the women had normal pap smear. Inflammatory smear was present more among 26-35 year age group (30.8%), Class II socio economic status (32.7%) and among Hindus(54.1%). Severe dysplasia was maximum reported among 46-55 years age group, class II socioeconomic status and among Hindus. Recommendation and conclusion: Cervical cancer is a problem with multiple causes and a multipronged approach is essential to combat it. It is essential to provide health education for women, particularly those from the lower socioeconomic strata regarding sexual and genital hygiene and appropriate treatment of sexually transmitted infection.