Obstetric Complication Profile in Relation to the Utilization of Maternal Health Services of the Females of Rural and Urban Areas of Aligarh

Introduction: Millions of women are still suffering from pregnancy related complications even after the implementation of a number of health programs relating to mother and child. The utilization of these services is not up to the mark, so a study was done to evaluate the utilization of Maternal and Child health services in relation to the mother who had complications related to them or their children during the last pregnancy. Material and Methods: A community based cross sectional study was performed in the field practice areas of the department of community medicine, the study period was one year and the data was analyzed by SPSS13. Results: It was found that 32% Recently Delivered Women suffered from complications in their last delivery. The most common being Still Birth. Utilization rates for all maternal health services except full ANC package were found to be significantly better in women having had experienced a complication in an earlier pregnancy. Conclusions and Recommendations: Even though we are having so many health programs in place still a majority of women are suffering from pregnancy related complications. The utilization of Maternal health services was high for these women as compared to the ones who had no complications in their last pregnancy. But need of the hour is to further increase the rate of utilization to achieve our MDG goals.

Influence of Behavioral Determinants on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among School Going Adolescents of Aligarh.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and the prevention of adult obesity will require prevention and management of childhood obesity. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and behavioral determinants of overweight and obesity in school going adolescents. A total of 660 adolescents from affluent and nonaffluent schools were taken. Overweight and obesity was defined as per World Health Organization 2007 growth reference. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Prevalence of both overweight and obesity was higher among males. Statistically significant difference was found in prevalence of overweight and obesity among affluent schools (14.8% and 8.2%) and nonaffluent schools (4.8% and 1.5%). Important determinants of overweight and obesity were increased consumption of fast food, low physical activity level and watching television for more than 2 h/day. The prevalence of obesity is high even in small cities. Dietary behavior and physical activity significantly affect weight of adolescent children.