Depression in geriatric population in urban slums of Mumbai.

A community based study was conducted in an urban slum of Mumbai to assess the epidemiological factors associated with geriatric population and depression. A sample size of 196 was taken according to Lots quality technique, including all elderly above 60 years of age in the study area. Depressed elderly (using Geriatric Depression Scale) constituted 45.9% of the study population and was more in females (57.8%, p < 0.05). The significant variables associated with depression were poor socio-economic status, marital status, non-working or dependency and illiteracy (p < 0.05). Depressed elderly were more inclined towards substance abuse (58.13%), had disturbed sleep patterns (61.6%) and mostly suffered from acute/chronic illness (p < 0.05).

Effectiveness of antenatal care on weight of infants attending underfive clinic.

Holistic approach for healthy growth of infants is considered in this study by measuring weight as an important variable. There were significant increase in the average gain monthly weight throughout infancy (P < 0.01) and preponement of age at which weaning started (P < 0.001) in infants born to mothers who registered themselves early during same gestation for antenatal care programme, the same infants being followed in an under-five clinic till one year of age. Though there was hardly any difference in average birth weights of infants of the study and control groups (P > 0.05), antenatal care programme was definitely helpful in promoting their babies for early registration for an under-five clinic (P < 0.001).