ABSTRACT
Background: In India, injuries account for an estimated 15% of total deaths and 15% of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) with resulting economic losses of 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the country. Learning about injuries is the first step to reduce the risks of injuries in the community. The objectives of the study were to describe the nature of injuries and their relationship to select epidemiological variables and also to assess the type of health facility accessed and the cost incurred therein.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2016 to October 2017. A recall period of three months for minor injuries & one year for major injuries or deaths due to injury was used. Data was collected by using semi-structured, pre-designed, pre-tested and open-ended questionnaires.Results: In this study, 70.7% subjects were male and 29.3% were female. There were 216 injuries either affecting work or for which treatment was availed, out of which 170 did not have knowledge about first-aid. 44.4% of study subjects belonged to 25- 44 years and 35.6% injured were daily wage-earners. 37.96% of injuries were caused by road traffic accident and 19.9% found to have suffered from cut injuries and there were 5 deaths. 48.3% study subject took treatment in the government hospital because of the affordable cost.Conclusions: This study can help the integrated disease surveillance program to plan data collection on injuries occurring in the community in order to get a comprehensive picture of total morbidity.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Menstruation, though a natural process, is still regarded as unclean/dirty in Indian society, clouded by taboos and socio-cultural restrictions resulting in adverse health outcomes. This poses a serious problem for adolescent girls of low and middle-income countries, directly/indirectly influencing Sustainable Development Goals affecting their and nation's overall development. Objective: To find out the prevalent menstrual hygiene practices and myths in rural adolescent girls. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted, with a pre-tested, pre-designed questionnaire among 180 girls aged 13 to 16 years of a secondary school in the rural field practice area for 6 months. Results: The mean age of menarche was 12.5 ± 2(0.85) years. 76% of the girls were aware about menstruation before its onset and mothers (85%) were the source of information.78% girls used commercial sanitary pads, while 22% used cloth/napkin and half of them changed pad twice daily while 1/3rd thrice daily. External genitalia were cleaned once (51%), using water (56%) and 64% preferred using a separate underwear during periods. Following were their complaints in the last 6 months: 59% white discharge per vagina, 32% itching in private parts, 16% burning micturition. Almost half weren't involved in religious activities and abstained from household chores. Around one third were restricted from playing, absented from school, barred from entering kitchen, slept in isolation and ate from separate utensils. Conclusion: Awareness on correct menstrual hygiene practices and demystifying related myths can improve rural adolescent's health.