ABSTRACT
Background: Maternal mortality remains a biggest setback in developing nations like India. Almost 90% of maternal deaths can be prevented by timely intervention, antenatal care acts as an effective tool to reduce both maternal and infant mortality. The objective of this study is to assess the utilization of antenatal care services in two divisions of Uttarakhand: Kumaun and Garhwal.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using secondary data source i.e. NFHS-4 data of Uttarakhand which is divided into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaun. Statistical test i.e. Z-test is used for the comparison between two regions and within inter districts of Uttarakhand.Result: The results of this study indicates that between the two regions i.e Kumaun has better utilization of maternal health care facilities. Nainital district recorded best and Pithoragarh district recorded the least utilization of ANC services in Kumaun division. In Garhwal division, district Chamoli and Dehradun recorded highest utilization of maternal health care services whereas Rudraprayag and Tehri-Garhwal had discouraging statistics.Conclusion: Uttarakhand has immensely progressed in terms of maternal health in recent times; still there are some key areas that require immediate attention. Certain districts in both Garhwal and Kumaun division need assistance to improve maternal health care seeking behavior amongst the mother and the family. Dissemination of information and benefits regarding the utilization of ANC services should be encouraged to achieve a reduction in maternal mortality.
ABSTRACT
Background: Management of pain is a primary clinical concern for any pathology in medical field. Addiction liability of opioids and troublesome gastrointestinal side effects of NSAIDs leads to intensive research for compound with lesser side effects.The aim of the study to evaluate the anti-nociceptive activity of Acacia Tortilis Seed Extract (ATE) in experimental animals.Methods: First of all, animals were randomly allocated into four groups of six animals each. In acetic acid induced writhing test model, Group I (NC) served as vehicle control received saline/Tween 80 0.1%, 10ml/kg BW orally, group II (ATE-100) and III (ATE-200) received ATE in dose of 100 and 200mg/kg BW orally respectively and group IV received the standard drug diclofenac sodium in dose of 50 mg/kg BW orally. Group I to IV were same in rest of three experimental models. One additional group of standard drugs (group V) morphine sulfate in dose of 5 mg/kg BW subcutaneously (SC) was allocated for screening method hot plate and tail flick tests. In Formalin induced paw licking test, three additional groups (group V) morphine sulfate in dose of 5mg/kg BW SC, group VI- morphine+naloxone (5mg/kg SC +2mg/kg intra-peritoneally (IP) and group VII - ATE+ naloxone (200mg/kg BW orally +2mg/kg BW IP) were also made.Results: The ATE when administered orally in dose of 100 and 200mg/ kg body weight (BW), produced significant analgesic activity (P <0.01) in acetic acid induced writhing syndrome and late phase of formalin test. In the hot plate test in mice and tail flick test in rats, ATE in same doses also showed significant analgesic activity (P <0.05) which is almost equally efficacious to standard drug diclofenac sodium (50mg/kg BW orally) but far less efficacious than morphine sulfate (5mg/kg BW subcutaneous).ATE (200mg/Kg BW orally) activity did not blocked by naloxone (2mg/kg intra-peritoneal).Conclusions: ATE possesss significant anti-nociceptive activity as evidenced in all the animal models of nociception. It might exert its effect through the peripheral mechanism of analgesic action possibly by interference in biosynthesis, release and/or action of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.