ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem in our country and is the largest cause of loss of healthy life years in the productive age. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme depends on passive reporting of the chest symptomatic to the health institution. Therefore, it is important that the basic knowledge about the disease and the availability of free treatment is clear among the individual in the community. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 360 students of I and II PU College students of urban and rural area of Davangere Taluk, Karnataka. Selection of schools and students was done by simple random and systematic random sampling method. Data collection was done by using predesigned, pretested structured proforma & analyzed by using software SPSS version17. Results: Our study results show that awareness with regard to severity (64.4%), causative agent (72.8%), whether spreads from person to person (56.7%), mode of transmission(38.9%), symptoms(78.9%) and whom to consult if signs of TB are detected (82.8%) of rural students was better compared to urban students and with regards to affected organ (72.8%), among whom TB is commonly seen(85%), diagnosis(78.9%), whether TB is curable (73.3%), availability of diagnostic and treatment facilities (71.7%), prevention (85%) and what advice given to TB patient (86.1%) awareness was better among urban students compared to rural students. Conclusions: Our study findings indicated that overall the awareness was better among urban students compared to rural students & 53% of the rural students had wrong knowledge that TB can be diagnosed by blood test.
ABSTRACT
Background: Feeding pattern during infancy has several health related implications. Infant and young child feeding [IYCF] practices comprising breastfeeding as well as complimentary feeding have major role in determining the nutritional status of children. Most of the studies conducted in India focus on breastfeeding aspects only, our study will also include practices regarding complementary diet diversity & frequency aspects of IYCF using the WHO standard IYCF indicators. Objective of the study was to know the IYCF practices among mothers with children aged 0-23months. Methods: Study design - Cross sectional study Study setting - Mother and child health [MCH] clinic of tertiary care teaching hospital, Davangere. Study Period - Six months from September 1st 2013 to January 31st 2014. Sample size – 350 mothers with children 0-23months old attending MCH clinic. Results: 39% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within half an hour of childbirth. 9% of them gave history of giving pre-lacteal feeds. 26% of the mothers were found to be giving WHO recommended minimum adequate diet to their children. Conclusions: The study highlights that inappropriate IYCF practices are still very much prevalent in the community.
ABSTRACT
Background: The utilization of services at Primary Health Centre (PHC) by the community differs from place to place and changes over the time based on the availability of quality of services. It is also necessary to evaluate the utilization trend of primary health centre services by the community. Objective: to know the pattern of utilization by rural community on availability, utilization and perception of facilities at primary health center. Material and methods: A cross sectional, descriptive, community based study was done during September to November 2014 in selected sample from PHC area by interviewing 300 families on various aspects at their doorstep. The date collected from each family on the aspects such as awareness, availability, utilization and perception of facilities at primary health center. Results: More than 80% were aware about the PHC, its location and more than 75% on availability of free medicines and laboratory investigations. Many preferred to visit PHC for their ailments and waiting time for treatment was less than 30 minutes and 70% of families visited the PHC at least once since last 3 months for some kind of health problems. The common ailments were respiratory problems, fever episodes and accidental injuries. Nearly 50% were aware about the contents in the display of posters on various health education topics. Conclusion: Periodic assessment of pattern of utilization of PHC is important to improve the service utilization by the community through their involvement.