Nutritional status of 0-5 years children and its determinant in Maharashtra India

Background: Malnutrition is silent emergency and it is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children in India. India is home for underweight children. Hence the present study attempt to assess the underweight status of 0-5 years children and to find out socio-demographic determinant with it in rural community of Maharashtra.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 281 children aged 0-5 years. The study was conducted rural health training centre, Barshi Takali district Akola which is field practicing area of Community Medicine Department of Government Medical College, Akola. The data was analyzed using Epi-info-6.Results: 24.9% children were in the age group of 24-35 months. 33.8% fathers were educated up to high secondary 21%. Under five children were underweight. The proportion of under-five children with under-weight showed significant association with education of father, breast feeding and diarrhoea.Conclusions: Father education, breast feeding practices and diarrhoea were the important determinant for underweight that were found in the study. The information education and communication (IEC) is needed to for preventing the occurrence of under-nutrition among 0-5 years children.

A community based model for effective malaria control in a known endemic area of a metropolitan city.

Background: Malaria is a global health problem causing impact on Health and socio economic development of country. Mumbai city with high density population is endemic region with unstable malaria transmission. Surveillance data of malaria cases in tertiary care hospital indicated the need for strategic plan for community based effective interventions. This highlights sharing information, strengthening community partnerships and a structured plan for malaria control in addition to the regular surveillance activities of public health department. Methods: 2 city zonal areas (wards) having high prevalence of malaria cases and deaths in the previous year were identified as study units. One of the 2 wards was designated as control unit where no interventions (were executed by the investigator). In study area activities were implemented in three phases. 1) Preparatory - baseline epidemiological survey, enlistment of risk factors. 2) Interventional - enlistment and elimination of breeding places, mobilizing supportive community participation, team building with PSM department faculty, public health department staff, general practitioners, youth club members and the co-operative societies. 3) Evaluation - compliance of housing societies, analysis of indicators& comparison of prevalence with previous year. Results: In study area no deaths are reported in 2010. 12 deaths in 2010 in control area. Also number of malaria cases in 2010 in study area were drastically reduced as compared to 2009. Conclusions: Malaria control is essentially a multidimensional event dependant on active community participation. Malaria control cannot be achieved in isolation by singular efforts of the Public Health Department alone. A community based multipronged approach is necessary for malaria control in urban area.