Sociology of Child Health Care Practices in Nanded District of Maharashtra, Central India — A Single Centre Hospital-based Crosssectional Study

Background : Despite the yearly increase in budget and improved health infrastructure, the improvement in the health indices is not parallel to them. It indicates that there are other factors influencing the health indices like morbidity and mortality. Objective : This study highlights the socio-demographic factors and their importance in child health care. Methods : A single-centre hospital-based cross-sectional study was done at a tertiary health care centre in central India. One thousand cases were enrolled over 3 years and evaluated for the association of socio-demographic parameters and child health status indicators. Results : Of the 1000 cases, immunization status in children had a significant association with mother’s education status (p=0.005), father’s education status (p=0.001), and religion (p<0.001) but not associated with socio-economic status (p=0.254) and place of residence (urban versus rural) (p=0.916). The pallor was significantly associated with the mother’s education status (p=0.001), father’s education status (p=0.005), socio-economic status (p=0.001) but not associated with the sex of the child (p=0.934), place of residence (p=0.807) and religion of the participant child (p=0.812). Conclusion : Immunization status of the child was significantly associated with the educational status of parents and religion while pallor was associated with the educational status of parents and economic status. The educational status of the parent is significant as for as child health care is concerned

Study of socio-demographic and treatment profile and other epidemiological correlates of clients attending revised national tuberculosis control programme clinic in a tertiary hospital of West Bengal, India

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria spread by droplet infection.According to global TB report 2017, there were approximately 28 lakhs cases of TB in India accounting a quarter of the world TB cases. Today, it is the fastest-expanding and the largest program in the world in terms of patients initiated on treatment and the second largest in terms of population coverage. The objective of this study is to assess the socio-demographic profile of the patients attending revised national TB control programme (RNTCP) clinic, to determine the nature of disease, its co-morbidities, seasonal variability and treatment profile of the patients attending the RNTCP clinic during this study period.Methods: This was a retrospective record-based study conducted in RNTCP clinic of KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Details of all the 684 patients who were enrolled under RNTCP from the year 2014 to 2018 were collected from RNTCP records. Data was analyzed using suitable software.Results: 684 cases were registered and treated under directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) during the study period with 41% completing treatment. 84.3% were new TB cases. 23.61% were sputum smear positive. Males (67.25%) contributed to more in cases. Maximum patients visited during March to June. 74.87% of the total patients were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Pleural effusion was the commonest form of extrapulmonary TB (42.75%).Conclusions: The number of TB cases showed a decreasing trend over the years. Males contributed to a greater number of cases with majority being contributed by the age group 21-30 years.

Socio-demographic characteristics of tuberculosis patients registered under RNTCP in urban area of Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Background: Tuberculosis affects all socio-economic persons and has an enormous economic impact on many countries. India accounts for a quarter of the global burden of tuberculosis. It is a chronic stigmatized public health and social challenge in almost all communities of the developing countries. The aim of the present study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of tuberculosis patients in urban area and their relation with current tuberculosis epidemiological situation.Methods: A retrospective type of study was conducted from July, 2010 to September, 2010 in tuberculosis units and data was collected from tuberculosis registers and all patients were interviewed with their consent. All collected data were transferred in a computer and analyzed using Excel worksheet. Tuberculosis patients were not on directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) regime and not gave consent, excluded for the study.Results: In our study, total of 363 tuberculosis patients interviewed in which maximum number i.e., 90 (24.79%) of the study population belonged to the age group 26-35 years, 216 (59.51%) were male, 195 (53.72%) were from urban population, 269 (74.1%) Hindu by religion, 278 (76.58%) married, 139 (38.29%) illiterate, 126 (34.71%) unemployed, 122 (33.61%) belonged to socioeconomic class V, 202 (55.65%) were from nuclear families. 262 (72.18%) patients had pulmonary tuberculosis and 101 (27.82%) had extra-pulmonary tuberculosis Majority of patients 264 (67.77%) were in category-I followed by 81 (22.7%) in category II. And 36 (9.92%) patients were being treated as category-III.Conclusions: It has a dreadful impact on the economic wellbeing of individual, their families and the entire community.

Low birth weight and its sociodemographic correlates: a descriptive study from medical college hospital, Maharashtra

Background: Low birth weight is one of the most serious challenges in maternal and child health in both developed and developing countries. According to a UNICEF report about 28 per cent of babies born in India are low birth weight. Present hospital based study was undertaken to estimate the proportion of babies with low birth weight.Methods: The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries.Results: Out of total 1154 live full term new borns; 279 (24.18%) were low birth weight babies. The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in mothers from rural area 243 (27.46%). Highest percentage (45.33%) of low birth weight babies was seen in non agricultural laborer. Higher percentage of low birth weight babies (26.18%) was observed among mothers belonging to joint family. Highest percentage (28.61%) of low birth weight babies was observed in class V socioeconomic status.Conclusions: Baby birth weight has significant association with place of residence, mothers occupation, fathers occupation, socioeconomic status of family (p<0.05).

Socio-demographic and socio-economic profile of tribal communities in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh

Background: Scheduled tribes live in unique physical, socio-economic and cultural environment isolated from general population. The tribal population is at a higher risk of under-nutrition and Malaria, because of the socio-cultural, socio-economic and environmental factors influencing health seeking behaviour. We made an attempt to study the socio demographic economic variables in the tribal communities of East Godavari district.Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire containing information on household socio-economic and demographic particulars like type of family, religion, caste, age, gender, income, literacy and occupation, was administered by paying house to house visits. All the data were entered into excel sheets and analyzed by using SPSS software 17.Results: 59.25% were literates. 56.25% belongs to monthly income less than 773 rupees i.e. class-5, 74.29% are living in nuclear families. 48.55% belongs to Konda Reddy community. 56.69% have access to mineral water supply. 89.78 – 98.94% does not have toilets in their houses. 43.39% of the respondents have cattle sheds near to their houses.Conclusions: More than half of the tribal’s needs to improve their socio-demographic and socio-economic conditions. Still it needs construction of community toilets or individual toilets in tribal areas

A KAP study on water, sanitation and hygiene among residents of Parla village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh

Background: Ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation for rural people is the key catalyst for economic and human growth. However extreme poverty inhibits a significant portion of rural population from getting access to sanitation facilities and safe drinking water services. The study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and Practices (KAP) with regard to water, sanitation and hygienic practices and to identify the socio-demographic factors in relation. Methods: A cross-sectional study sample comprising of 236 households was conducted in the rural field practice area after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Proportionate sample of 20% households were taken from each ward and houses were selected by systematic random sampling method. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding water, sanitation and hygiene were assessed using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Out of 236 households majority interviewed were females 169 (71.6%), illiterate (54.2%) and unskilled workers 122 (51.7%) belonging to class V socio-economic status 165 (69.9%). Household lavatory is absent in 114 (48.3%) households. Out of 122 (51.7%) households having sanitary lavatories only 59 (48.4%) were fully utilizing them remaining 63 (51.6%) households were going to open defecation even though sanitary lavatory was present. A significant association between defecation practice and socio-economic status, education were observed. Conclusions: This study shows that even though they have sufficient knowledge on water purification, Sanitation and hygiene this was not translated into practice because of poor attitude.

Socio-demographic Profile and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with a Diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – A study from Kashmir Valley.

Objective: Kashmir valley has witnessed an armed conflict from last three decades, with one of the studies suggesting the prevalence of trauma exposure of 58.69% in the general population and 15.9% prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study was undertaken to explore the socio demographic profile and psychiatric comorbidity in treatment seeking PTSD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital Srinagar, Kashmir from January 2006 to January 2007. A total of 100 PTSD patients were interviewed and screened for psychiatric comorbidity using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and their socio demographic details were recorded using a proforma. Results: Most of the patients in our study had multiple comorbidities. Apart from depression and anxiety disorders, somatisation and peri-traumatic dissociation was highly comorbid. Conclusion: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complex diagnosis with commonly associated psychiatric comorbidity. The high comorbidity in our study sample could be due to repeated exposure to trauma, cultural expression of distress and the ongoing conflict situation which makes the recovery difficult. Recognizing the comorbidities early on may help to achieve an optimal treatment outcome. Finally, the lack of appropriate service provision results in increased morbidity and probable chronicity of the symptoms.

Perfil de Personalidad y Sociodemográfico de Estudiantes de Psicología de una Universidad Privada de Asunción

El propósito de este estudio es identificar y describir los rasgos de la personalidad y su asociación sociodemográfica en estudiantes de psicología de una Universidad Privada de Asunción. La muestra es de 279 estudiantes, hombres y mujeres de 18 años en adelante. Se aplicó el Inventario de Personalidad NEO-FFI de Costa y McCrae (1989) y un Cuestionario de Variables Sociodemográficas. Los resultados muestran cierta similitud entre las distintas dimensiones de la personalidad y una significativa correlación con las variables sexo, curso y condición laboral. En cuanto al perfil de personalidad predomina el factor "Neuroticismo" en la mayoría de las mujeres estudiantes. En el factor de Responsabilidad asociado a las variables curso (4to y 5to) y condición laboral (no trabaja), se observa el mayor puntaje logrado por los estudiantes en un mismo factor.

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the personality traits and sociodemographic association psychology students at a private university in Asuncion. The sample is 279 students, men and women 18 and older. Personality Inventory NEO -FFI Costa and McCrae (1989) and a questionnaire was applied Sociodemographic Variables. The results show some similarity between the different dimensions of personality and a significant correlation with the variables sex, grade and employment status.. As for the personality profile predominantly "Neuroticism" factor in most women students. In the Responsibility factor associated with ongoing variables (4th and 5th ) and employment status (not working) , the highest score achieved by students in one factor is observed.

Sociodemographic Profile, Contraceptive Practice and Awareness of HIV Infection among Unmarried Postpartum Women in a Tertiary Centre in Malaysia

To describe the sociodemographic profile, contraceptive practice, and awareness of HIV infection among unmarried post partum women in the biggest government hospital in Pahang. Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire-proforma-based study was conducted for one year duration from August 2010 until July 2011 by identifying and recruiting all the unmarried women upon admission for delivery. Basic information were obtained from the use of patients’ case notes, and further related and necessary information were obtained from a direct face-to-face interview based on a proforma. Results: A total of 121 unmarried women were identified and recruited. The age ranged from 13 to 36 years with a mean age of 21.6 years. 31.4% were teenagers. Only 16% of patients have tertiary education, and 2.5% never had any formal education. About one third of the women were smokers or ex-smokers, 7.5% had consumed alcohol, but none denied ever use of any recreational drugs. Almost 9% has prior history of being sexually assaulted. About three quarter of the women never used any contraceptive method. Majority of the patients (85.1%) were aware of HIV transmission risk; 75% never had any antenatal checkup or booked at late gestation (> 20 weeks); and 45.8% were not aware of any support groups for single mothers. Conclusion: Single unmarried women are associated with disadvantaged sociodemographic profile. Contraceptive practice was also very low despite significant awareness towards risk of HIV infection. Further follow up, support and care should be offered to these women.

Satisfacción Familiar en Adolescentes de un colegio privado de Asunción

Se evalúa y describe la satisfacción familiar de una muestra de 140 estudiantes, hombres y mujeres, entre 12 y 18 años, pertenecientes a un colegio privado de la ciudad de Asunción. Se aplicó la Escala de Satisfacción Familiar por Adjetivos de Barraca y López-Yarto (2010), a la que se asoció las variables edad, sexo, tipo de familia, número de miembros en el holón fraterno y número de personas que conviven en el hogar. Los resultados exponen que los participantes en su mayoría conforman familias tipo tres generaciones, tienen entre 2 a 3 hermanos y conviven con 5 a 6 personas; se encontró que, predominantemente, los adolescentes poseen un nivel medio de satisfacción familiar, es decir, cuando están con sus familias se sienten con cierto grado de libertad pero no con absoluta permisividad. El nivel alto de satisfacción familiar se halla muy por debajo del nivel bajo que es más frecuente.

It is evaluated and described the family satisfaction in a sample of 140 students, male and female, between 12 and 18 years old, from a private school in Asuncion. The Family Satisfaction Scale by Adjectives by Barraca and López-Yarto (2010), was applied, to which it was associated variables such as age, gender, family type, number of members in sibling subsystem and quantity of people living together. The results show that most adolescents belong to a three-generation family type, have 2 to 3 siblings, and live with 5 to 6 people. There is a predominance of the middle level in the Family Satisfaction Scale by Adjectives, meaning that most participants feel a certain degree of freedom but not absolute permissiveness. It is also observed a preponderance of low family satisfaction level over the high level.

Socio Demographic Determinants of Delivery Practice in Rural Women of Bangladesh

Background: Every year, world wide, 200 million women become pregnant. The development of urban areas allowed women to receive more care and treatment. However, in rural areas such measures are not available to every woman. Data on delivery practice of rural woman may help the social and public health planners and decision makers to minimize and prevent maternal mortality and morbidity ensuring safe motherhood. Objective: The aim of the study was to observe the delivery practice of rural women of Bangladesh. Materials and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data were collected from Dhamrai upazila, Dhaka, Bangladesh in April 2008. Total 159 women of reproductive age group at least having one child were selected purposively to elicit information on various demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and selected programmatic variables including maternal health care and delivery practices. Results: Among the respondents about 55% were literate. Majority (80%) of the respondents delivered at home and most of the them (71%) felt that home delivery was comfortable where as about 29% of the respondents were compelled to deliver at home due to family decision and financial constraint. Among the deliveries about 82% occurred normally and 18.2% were by cesarean section. A considerable percentage of deliveries (49%) were attended by traditional birth attendants. Blade was used for cutting umbilical cord in majority of the cases (74%) who delivered at home. Most of the respondents (90%) took ante natal check up and about 74% were vaccinated by tetanus toxoid. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that a lot of work is still to do for the policy makers and health planners to target, plan, develop and deliver maternal health services to the rural women of Bangladesh.

A demographic study on vitiligo (sheti) in Bangladesh.

Vitiligo is quite prevalent and constitutes a major psychological health problem in Bangladesh. To determine the effects and extent distribution of Vitiligo among the people, we mainly focused on the sociodemographic studies on Vitiligo in Bangladesh. The patients volunteered in this study were randomly selected from the Skin and Venereal disease department of Rajshahi Medical college hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh during 2009-2011. In this sociodemographic studies 125 vitiligo patients of different age groups were carried out. Age distribution, Sex incidence, occupation, itching, life living status, food allergy, social problem were studied. In this study, disease incidence was the highest 44% among 11-20 years age group. In case of sex incidence the female patients were 56%, on the other hand, male recorded 44%. The demographic characteristic showed that the students were the highest percentage (48%) suffering with Vitiligo by occupation. Family history was the most important survey in this study. 32% patients said they had prior to family history. The maximum patients had living status of middle class (40%). In this study 24% patient complained about Food allergy and the participant patient also complained the social problem of Vitiligo. Eighty percent patients reported that most of the person avoids them because general people know that Vitiligo is an infectious disease. This study will give the social consciousness about Vitiligo i.e. it is not an infectious disease.

Factors Associated with Breakfast Skipping among School-going Adolescents in Sarawak, Malaysia

Introduction: Breakfast skipping is an unhealthy eating behaviour reportedly common among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the differences in body weight status, socio-demographic, behavioural, and psychological characteristics between daily breakfast takers and breakfast skippers. Methods: Data were collected from form four students of four randomly selected secondary schools in Sibu, Sarawak using a self-administered questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured using standard procedures and BMI-for-age z-scores were determined. Results: A total of 375 students were recruited (male: 32.0%, female: 68.0%; Chinese: 39.5%, than: 26.4%, Malay: 17.1% and Melanau: 17.1%; mean age = 16.45 � 0.53 years). The prevalence rate of breakfast skippers at 40.3% was higher compared to the national prevalence of 32.7%. About 19.7% of the students were found to be at risk of eating disorders. In addition, the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 10.9% and 7.7%, respectively. Significant associations were found between breakfast skipping with sex, lunch skipping, dinner skipping, eating attitudes, and body weight status. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that female students and those who skipped lunch or dinner were more likely to skip breakfast. Conclusion: Breakfast skipping was quite common in this sample of adolescents in Sarawak. As frequent breakfast skipping has negative health and academic performance implications, increased nutrition education and health awareness campaigns on the importance of breakfast taking among school students should be undertaken.

Use and Understanding of Nutrition Labeling among Elderly Men and Women in Malaysia

Introduction: Consumers are advised to read the nutrition labeling when purchasing packaged food. To what extent consumers read nutrition labeling and understand what they read is not well established among Malaysian older persons. Methods: Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III) undertaken in 2006 was analysed to determine the use and understanding of nutrition labeling and its associated factors among free living elderly men and women aged >60 years. Descriptive analysis and binary Logistic Regression were used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 4,898 respondents provided self-reported information on their use and understanding of nutrition labeling when they bought or received food. Use of nutrition labeling was higher among elderly men [61.9% (95% CI: 59.6-64.1)] than for women [36.6% (95% CI: 34.5-38.8)]. Nutrition labeling use was significantly associated with age, formal education, higher household income levels and marital status among both elderly men and women. Understanding of nutrition labeling among elderly men and women was 91.8% (95% CI: 90.1-93.2) and 89.7% (95% CI: 87.4- 91.7) respectively and was significantly associated with formal education for both elderly men and women. Conclusion: Overall, the reading of nutrition labeling among Malaysian elderly is moderate. Elderly men and women with formal education were more likely to understand nutrition labeling. The importance of reading nutrition labels should be inculcated in consumers including older persons so that they choose foods that are nutritious and safe.

Socio-demographic profile of pregnant women using Mishri.

Background: "Mishri" is one among the various smokeless tobacco products used in the central and southern part of India. The use of newer tobacco products is increasing not only among men, but also among children, teenagers, and women of the reproductive age-group. Objectives: To study socio-demographic profile of mishri users among pregnant women admitted for delivery into Krishna Hospital, Karad - Satara, Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: All the consecutive pregnant women admitted for delivery in Krishna Hospital, Karad over a period of 6 months were enrolled and a detailed history of use of tobacco was obtained from them. A representative sample of mishri used by them for each application was collected and weighed on an electronic weighing machine. The socio-demographic information was collected among all mishri users and age-, parity-matched controls of non-mishri users during pregnancy. Results: A total of 258, i.e., (12%) of the women delivering in Krishna Hospital were using mishri. The mean duration of mishri use was 2 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.09 years, frequency of daily application being 1.4 times with an SD of 0.55, dwell time in mouth being 10 min with an SD of 2.9 min, and the quantity of each application being 236 mg with an SD of 66.2 mg. 29% of the teenagers and 68% of the primiparas were found to be using mishri, and a majority of them were housewives, having minimum education and belonging to the middle and lower socio-economic class. It was also found that the family members played a role in influencing the habit of mishri use. Interpretation and Conclusion: A small but significant number of women who deliver in the hospital used mishri during pregnancy and were in need of de-addiction counseling.

Socio-demographic and Social Psychological Analysis of College Students with Anxiety in Anhui Province / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective: To analyze socio-demographic and social psychological characteristics of college students with anxiety in Anhui province. Methods: Striated all universities in Anhui according to professional fields, selected one university in each field and 15% of students of that university were collected as our sample (N=4178). Anonymous questionnaires inclusive self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), social experience checklist (SEC), adolescent self-rating life events checklist (ASLEC) and family environment scale-Chinese version (FES~CV) were used to investigate anxiety status and its relation with socio-demographic and social psychological characteristics. Univariate logistic and multivariate stepwise logistic models were used to calculate the odds ratios between prevalence of anxiety and those influential factors. Results:The rate of anxiety among our sample was 6.94% (in male 7.22%, in female 6.35%). Students of science and technology school had the highest rate of anxiety (10.08%), while those from medical school the lowest (3.59%). It was shown that anxiety status was statistically significant associated with many demographic and social psychological factors by ?~2 test, while in multivariate stepwise logistic models it was significant related with majors (referred to science and technology OR=1.77,95%CI:1.30~2.41), poor academic achievement (OR=1.45,95%CI:1.09~1.93), negative life events (OR=4.76,95%CI:3.36~6.77), negative life experience (OR=3.35,95%CI:2.43~4.62), and intimacy (OR=0.65,95%CI:0.49~0.85)and emotion expression within families (OR=0.71,95%CI:0.54~0.94). Conclusion: Anxiety status among college students was influenced by a variety of factors including socio-demographic and social psychological characteristics, which must be taken into consideration during psychological health promotion.