Natal and neonatal care practices of recently-delivered woman in rural areas of Lucknow district

Background: The health of women and children are eternally linked and when the health of women and child improves, life improves by every measure. Deaths associated with child birth were so common that societies developed cultural coping strategies or traditional practices. The objective of the study is to assess natal and neonatal care practices in rural areas of Lucknow district.Methods: The present study was carried out in the rural areas of Lucknow district. Study unit was recently delivered women (RDW), who gave birth to live newborn in last 1 year in rural areas of Lucknow for a period of 12 months. It was community based cross sectional study. A total of 368 RDW were interviewed. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to select RDW.Results: Majority cited all the reasons for preferring institutional delivery (58.2%) followed by those citing it cheaper or better services (17.4%) each and incentive (7.4%) respectively. Weight of baby was 2.5 to 3.5 kg in maximum cases (88%) followed by <2.5 kg (10.3%) respectively. Majority did not have any complication at birth (87%). Exclusive breast feeding was reported by majority (81%).Conclusions: Community needs to be appraised regarding performance and important positive achievement of MCH services in relation to health status of mother and neonate in their respective areas through community participation and will make the community more respective towards availing of accredited social health activist (ASHA) services. Proper provisioning of auxiliary nurse midwiferys, ASHAs and lady health workers would facilitate improvements in rural areas.

A Study on Effect of Educational Level of Parents on Breast Feeding Practices in Urban and Rural Areas of Lucknow

Background: It is well known that education level of father and mother is an important factor to achieve breastfeeding. But, according to some literature, there is still controversy that education of parents is really a major factor to affect breastfeeding practices. Objective: To find out relationship of educational level of parents with their breast feeding practices. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural and urban areas of Lucknow. Multistage random sampling was used. A pre designed & pretested questionnaire was used and house to house survey was done. 528 infants with their mothers as respondent were interviewed and information about their educational level and breast feeding practices were collected. Results: Majority of mothers in rural areas were illiterate (58.3%) as compared to only 20.5% in urban areas. Majority of fathers were literate in both urban and rural areas.Lower educational status of mother and father were significantly negatively associated with initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hr, colostrum giving, exclusive breastfeeding.36.7% mothers started breast feeding within one hour, while 83.0% mothers gave colostrum. Exclusive breast feeding was present in 65.6% mothers. Similar to breastfeeding initiation, a random but statistically significant difference in number of women who exclusively breastfed their infants was observed in different educational classes with maximum proportion for graduates and above (82.1%) and minimum proportion for those who were just literate or educated upto primary level. Conclusion: The study reveals that perceptions of breastfeeding are higher in educated parents than illiterate parents. To reach at an ever satisfactory level of breastfeeding practice, more attention and education need to be given amongst the general people.

A study on prevalence of overweight and obesity in school going adolescents and its association with socio-demographic factors in Lucknow district

Background: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Obesity has become a global public health issue and is widely recognized as a key risk factor for coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and many other health problems. The objectives of present study were to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with socio-demographic factors amongst school-going adolescents in Lucknow district.Methods: This study was a school-based cross-sectional study and was carried out in urban and rural areas of Lucknow, from January 2018 to June 2018. Sample size was 620. A multi-stage random sampling technique has been used to select the required sample size. Data analysis was done using software MS Office excel and SPSS 18 for windows.Results: A total of 620 adolescents were studied. Majority (82.1%) of adolescents were found to be non-overweight/obese while 17.9% were found to be overweight/obese. Majority (66.7%) of students were overweight or obese, belonging to social class I while only 15.7% students were overweight or obese belonging to social class V.Conclusions: The results of our study show that overweight/obesity continues to be a public health concern in adolescents. The current study shows that adolescent overweight and obesity are increasing even in low socio-economic status. Emphasis should be placed on awareness program for obesity prevention among school students by strengthening lifestyle change.

Effect of socio demographic profile on knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding breastfeeding of Lucknow district

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for first six month of life which is globally recognised. There are various advantages of optimal breastfeeding but still breastfeeding rates in Uttar Pradesh is only 56%. This might be attributed to various social, cultural and economical factors. Since there is limited local data on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women toward breastfeeding. hence, we planned this study to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of mothers regarding breastfeeding and influence of sociodemographic profile on them.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 200 mothers coming to the rural and urban areas of a district with infants between 0-6 months. The data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire based on KAP about breastfeeding. The data was analyzed using (SPSS) version 21.0.Results: Our study shows that regarding knowledge of breastfeeding, in rural group 42% considered colustrum as first breast milk. In contrast in urban group, 63% were aware that it was first breast milk (p=0.003). Regarding practices, 56% of rural women had started breastfeeding within one hour while only 38% of urban women did the same (p=0.011). Regarding attitude, 77% women of urban area agreed regarding goodness of colostrum for health followed by 48% of rural women (p?0.001). Most of the women agreed to the belief that a baby should burp after feeding (94% rural and 91% urban).Conclusions: The Gap between KAP regarding breastfeeding exists in rural and urban setups. So, proper stratgies should be planned depending on socio-demographic profile.

Utilization of maternal and neonatal care services in rural Lucknow: a community bases cross sectional study.

Introduction: In India, report says that we failed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in developing regions are approximately 15 times higher than developed countries. Hence safe delivery and essential newborn care, besides neonatal care in domestic setting and timely referral for cases unmanageable are important areas to be addressed. This study was aimed to assess the current pattern of utilization of maternal and neonatal care services in rural areas of Lucknow. Material and Method: This community based cross sectional study was conducted in between August 2014 to July 2015. Study site was rural area of Lucknow. The study unit was a recently delivered woman, defined as a woman who gave live birth in last one year. A multi stage random sampling technique was used. We uses SPSS version 17 for our statistical analysis. Results: We interviewed 368 RDWs and found that 10.6 % of RDWs did not visit even once to health care facility and almost 62% of registered RDWs were registered early. About 70% RDWs completed at least three ANC visits, 67.7% received complete course of tetanus toxoid and 79.1% received at least one hundred of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets. Approximately 90% deliveries were conducted by qualified physicians in government institution. There was a clear reduction in facilitating services by health care workers before and after delivery. We found that age less than 30 years, higher socioeconomic strata, educational level higher than matriculation of RDWs were likely to complete their ANC cares and these associations were statistically significant. Conclusion: We are still far away from health for all. To achieve SDG, a multi prong approach is need of hour.

The prevalence of low birth weight infants amongst hospital deliveries in Lucknow.

Background: Low birth weight has been defined by the WHO as weight at birth less than 2500gms. More common in developing than developed countries, LBW contributes to a range of poor health outcomes. Objectives: To know the prevalence of low birth weight neonates and the effect of maternal age and parity on birth weight. Methods: It was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted in Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital over a period of six months i.e from July 2014 to December 2014. A total of 356 women who had their deliveries conducted at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital were included in the study. Data was collected, compiled and tabulated using Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS 17.0 version for calculation of percentages. Results: The prevalence of LBW neonates was found to be 29.65%. 40.19% of the LBW neonates were preterm. Majority of the LBW neonate’s i.e 72.54% weigh between 2.0 to 2.5 kg. Percentage of LBW neonates was found to be highest among women aged between 36 to 40 years (50%) and in primi para (46%). Conclusions: The prevalence of LBW was found to be slightly higher than that for the state of Uttar Pradesh (25.1%). It is closely associated with foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The prevalence can be lowered if women start pregnancy healthy and well nourished, which can be assured by educating the mother about proper nutrition, birth spacing and antenatal care.

A study to assess the iodine deficiency disorder and salt consumption pattern in Lucknow.

Background: Iodine is an essential element for thyroid function, necessary for the normal growth, development and functioning of the brain and body. In India, about 200 million people are already affected with IDD. In India, about 200 million people live at risk of IDD, whereas more than 71 million people are suffering from goiter and other IDDs. Aims and objectives: 1) To estimate the prevalence of goiter in Lucknow district. 2) To study the level of urinary iodine excretion of the study population. 3) To study the salt consumption pattern in Lucknow district. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out amongst School children in the age group of 6 to 12 years in urban and rural areas of Lucknow district over a period of one year. A sample size of 400 was estimated. A pre structured & pre tested questionnaire was used to interview. Data was Tabulated on Microsoft excel and, analysis was carried out using Chi square test & other necessary statistical test as appropriate, using software SPSS 17.0 version. Results: A total No. of 400 children were studied. In urban areas 54% were males and 46% were females. Mean age of children were found to be 9.22 years with standard deviation of 2.28. By history, majority (79.8%) of the families were using iodized salt and only 20.3% were using non-iodized salt. Over all prevalence of goiter was 12.7%. Prevalence of goiter was more in rural areas (18%) than in urban areas (7.5%). Prevalence of goiter was more among females (19.9%) than in males (6.8%). Conclusions: To conclude, findings of the present study demonstrates that prevalence of goitre was high (12.7%) among children in Lucknow district and therefore it constitutes a public health problem in this region. Strict implementation of salt iodization and marketing in hard to reach areas is recommended as a measure to control the situation.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Biomedical Waste Management among Healthcare Personnel in Lucknow, India.

Background: Biomedical waste (BMW) is waste generated during diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, or in research activities pertaining thereto, or in the production and testing of biologicals, and is contaminated with human fluids. Objective: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) regarding healthcare waste management among healthcare personnel in Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst medical, dental, paramedical staff and graduate and postgraduate students of King George’s Medical and Dental University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 28 healthcare personnel consented for interview. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the study unit. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire for KAP study was used for data collection. Data were collected, compiled and tabulated using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 version for calculation of percentages. Results: In present study, 83.3% of medical and dental doctors and students had knowledge about waste management plan and its authorization. Majorities of the medical doctors (83.3%), paramedics (80%) and students (66.7%) had knowledge about place of waste disposal. On practice level, most of the healthcare personnel were using autoclave and lesser number of personnel were using dry heat sterilization. Conclusion: The healthcare personnel were observed to be good in theoretical knowledge as well as practices. The need of comprehensive training programs regarding BMW management is highly recommended to all hospital staff. Wherever, generated, a safe and reliable method for handling of BMW is essential.

Antenatal and intra-natal care practices in urban slums of Lucknow City, UP.

Objectives: To study the Antenatal and Intra-Natal Care Practices in urban slums of Lucknow city, UP. Methods : A cross- sectional study in Urban slums of Lucknow city, UP included 524 women who had a live birth during last one year preceding data collection. The data was tabulated on Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using the software SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Results : Study findings showed that Majority (71%) of the mothers received ANC. Out of those who received ANC, 32.5 percent of them received 2 ANC and 25.3 percent received 3 ANC. The tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccination was received by 80.4 percent mothers. Out of those who received tetanus toxoid, 67.9 percent received two doses of tetanus toxoid and 18.7 percent one dose of tetanus toxoid. The study findings shows that about half (51.7%) of the deliveries took place at home followed by govt. health facility (28.4%). Only 19.8 percent of the deliveries took place at private health facility. Majority (73.4%) of the deliveries were conducted by trained birth attendant. Only 19.6 percent and 7 percent deliveries were conducted by relatives and untrained birth attendant respectively. Conclusion: In majority of cases correct Antenatal and Intra-natal care practices were lacking among mothers and this should be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.

Lung function tests in electroplaters of East Delhi.

The presence of high concentration of metals (Cr, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, etc.) in the work place environments of various types of industries including electroplating units are well known to influence respiratory system. Pulmonary function tests including forced expiratory capacity (FVC), volumes, mechanics and slow vital capacity (SVC) were studied in 80 males, divided into group I and Group II of 40 each were drawn from electroplating and non-electroplating units, respectively from East Delhi factories. The lung function tests were measured using computerized Spiro-232 of P.K. Morgan, Values of majority of lung function parameters such as FEV1/FVC%, FEF50 FEF75, PIFR, FIF50, MVV and SVC were decreased in electroplaters, perhaps due to the exposure to metals and their lower anthropmetric results as compared with non electoplaters. Where as results of TLC, FRC, RV & RV/ TLC% were higher in electroplaters and this may be attributed to higher values of RV in them as compared with non electroplaters.