Mother and child service coverage: reproductive and child health programme in Alwar district, Rajasthan state.

Present study was conducted to assess the child immunization coverage and availability of safe motherhood intervention services for expecting mothers under RCH programme in Alwar district. WHO-30 cluster sampling method was used and 26 rural and 4 urban clusters were surveyed. Fully immunized children were more in urban areas (82.1%) as compared to rural (45.1%) areas. The immunization coverage was more or less similar in both sexes. BCG and Measles coverage was also higher i.e. 89.3% and 85.7% in urban areas than 69.61%, and 52.2% in rural respectively. High drop out rate was found for DPT (25.3%) and OPV (23.2%) in rural areas as compare to urban (7.70/ each). Failure of immunization in rural areas was mainly due to unawareness of need for immunization (35.4%), mother too busy in 16.8%, place and time not known in 9.7%, place for immunization too far 8.8% and 7.1% each for unaware of need to return for subsequent doses, fear of side reactions and vaccinator absent. TT immunization coverage was mainly through Government source and two third of the mothers were immunized in both urban and rural areas. 71.4% of urban and 36.1% of the rural mothers received ANC >=3. However the iron folic acid supplementation was similar in urban and rural areas. Place of delivery was mainly hospital in urban areas (71.4%) and were home (61.7%) in rural areas. Hospital staff (Govt. or pvt.) conducted 82.1% of the deliveries in urban areas as compared to 58.5% in rural.The ANM/ Health staff (56.4%) and family members (27.0%) were main source of information for mother for the need of mother and child immunization.

Child survival and safe motherhood program in Rajasthan.

OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to evaluate the MCH services, particularly immunization in rural areas of the poor-performing state of Rajasthan. METHODS: A community-based, cross-sectional survey using the WHO 30 cluster technique was carried out as a field exercise by participants of 9th Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) course by National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in rural areas of Alwar district of Rajasthan. RESULTS: Less than one third (28.9%) of children, aged 12-23 months, were fully immunized with BCG, 3 DPT, 3 OPV and Measles vaccines; around a quarter (26.5%) had not received even a single vaccine (non immunized), and little less than half (44.5%) were found partially immunized. Around half of the eligible children were vaccinated for BCG (55.9%) and Measles (43.6%). Though nearly two-third (66.8%) were covered with first dose of DPT and OPV, but about one third of these children dropped out of third dose of DPT and OPV for various reasons. National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data also had revealed that BCG coverage was 64.3%; measles was 36.2%; and coverage by DPT 1, 2, 3 and Polio 1,2 and 3 were 64.4%, 57.0%, 46.6% and 77.5%, 71.1% and 54.4% respectively in rural areas. The main reasons for drop-out or non-immunization was "lack of information about the immunization programme" (41.3%). Though nearly all (more than 96%) of the children were immunized through Government established centers, but immunization cards/documents were made available only to 27.6% of children. CONCLUSION: The problem of low coverage and high drop-out rate of immunization could be overcome by creating awareness of the program and relevance of 2nd and 3rd doses of DPT and polio vaccines. Increasing community participation through intensive and extensive health education campaign should also be undertaken. Since most of the deliveries were done at home under the supervision of untrained midwives, training programme as well as involving them in IEC activities should be contemplated.

Comparative protein profiles of Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Protein profiles of selected Salmonella serovars were compared with E. coli to identify genus specific protein(s) for Salmonella. The PDP formed of different Salmonella serovars were compared with E. coli O78 when subjected to SDS-PAGE yielded 11, 15, 15, 11 and 14 bands in S. Bareilly, S. Gallinarum, S. Typhimurium and S. Weltevreden and E. coli O78 respectively. The bands produced were compared with each other. It was found that S. Weltevreden shared 7 bands with E. coli O78, A protein of molecular weight 20.89 kDa was found in all Salmonella serovars, but not in E. coli O78 suggesting its genus specific attribute.

Antifertility effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) stem extract in male rats.

Oral administration of 70% methanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem to male rats at the dose level of 100 mg/rat/day for 60 days did not cause body weight loss but decreased the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate in a significant manner. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly which resulted in reduction of male fertility by 100%. The stem extract brought about an interference with spermatogenesis. The round spermatids were decreased by 73.12%. However, the population of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes were decreased by 47.60% and 52.85% respectively, followed by secondary spermatocytes (48.10%). Leydig cell nuclear area and mature Leydig cell numbers were significantly reduced when compared with controls. Serum testosterone levels showed significant reduction after Tinospora extract feeding. Seminiferous tubule diameter, Leydig cell nuclear area as well as cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells were reduced significantly when compared to controls. Biochemical parameters i.e. protein, sialic acid, glycogen contents of testes decreased significantly. Seminal vesicular fructose also depleted whereas, testicular cholesterol was elevated significantly followed by a reduction in testosterone levels. These results suggested antifertility effects of the stem extract of T. cordifolia in male rats.

Effects of short-term treatment of solasodine on cauda epididymis in dogs.

Oral administration (80 mg/kg body wt/day for 30 days) of solasodine (extracted and isolated from the berries of the Solanum xanthocarpum) to intact dogs significantly decreased the epithelial cell height of cauda epididymides. The cells became atrophic and the lumen was devoid of spermatozoa. Castration followed by the adminstration of solasodine further reduced the epithelial cell height in comparison to castrated controls. Concurrent treatment of solasodine along with testosterone propionate was unable to restore the normal epithelial lumen parameters. Total protein, sialic acid, glycogen and acid phosphatase activities were significantly reduced in solasodine treated cauda epididymides. These result suggest antiandrogenic potency of solasodine.

Pre- and extra-marital heterosexual behaviour of an urban community in Rajasthan, India.

A study conducted among the teachers of senior secondary schools of a city in Rajasthan state to know the magnitude of pre- and extra-marital heterosexual practices and some related characteristics revealed that one third of unmarried and one fifth of married males had experienced pre-marital sex. The same for unmarried and married females was 11.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively. The prevalence of extra-marital heterosexual act among married males was 15.5 per cent. One out of ten married males reported to have had both pre- and extra-marital sex. A male having pre-marital sex was 15 times more likely to have extra-marital sex. Friends, acquaintances and relatives were the important sexual partners while role of commercial sex workers was negligible. The study reports that heterosexual act with person other than the legal spouse is very much prevalent among this group of middle class professionals. This situation is conducive for the spread of HIV infection among general population and may adversely influence the sexual attitudes of students. The study, therefore, suggests that, besides intensifying the health education on HIV/AIDS, serious considerations about the sexual behaviours of school teachers are needed.

Evaluation of pulse polio and routine immunisation coverage: Alwar District, Rajasthan.

During the last decade, India achieved 88% reduction in reported poliomyelitis incidence. However, absolute number of reported cases still remains high. As an added effort to eradicate the disease, the country observed its first National Immunisation Days (NIDs) on 9.12.95 and 20.1.96. The present study evaluates the performance of Alwar district, Rajasthan. Modified 30 cluster technique was used to collect information. Overall coverage in rural and urban areas was 89% and 91% respectively. Main source of information was television in urban and health staff in rural areas. Most of the respondents knew about the usefulness of such special activity and had favourable opinion about the facilities provided. Urban Alwar had 80% OPV3 coverage but, in rural area it was almost half. The reported coverage of NIDs and UIP was found to be conflicting with the study results. The existing "dose enumeration method" of calculating reported coverage was attributed to be the cause. The study emphasises the need to incorporate an in-built community-based evaluation of future NIDs and utilisation of such results for planning.

Community perception of mosquitos and mosquito control in some areas of urban Delhi and rural Alwar, Rajasthan.

There is little information regarding community perception of mosquitos and and their control in India. A qualitative study based on In depth discussions with the people in Urban Delhi, and rural Alwar was carried out in August-September, 1995. In the Ghazipur and Munirka areas of Delhi, 63 respondent groups with 171 head counts, and 59 respondent groups and 305 persons in Alwar were met. Community responses to uniform set of questions on mosquito types, seasonality, biting, breeding places, ongoing control activities, and methods of personal protection were recorded. Most people in the areas surveyed viewed mosquitos primarily as a biting nuisance, and secondarily as agents of disease and debilitators of health. In general the knowledge regarding mosquitos was deficient. An overwhelming tendency to attribute mosquitogenic conditions to the unsavoury features of one's physical environment was observed in both areas. The methods of personal protection and attitudes to organised control are discussed.

An outbreak of viral hepatitis in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan.

An outbreak of Viral hepatitis occurred in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan during April to June, 1994. The attack rate was 3.04 per cent among 0-14 years age group and 5.49% among the age group above 15 years, the overall attack rate being 4.5 per cent. Males were more affected than females. Epidemiological and serological findings suggest that the outbreak was due to enterically transmitted Non A Non B virus. The source of infection was drinking water contaminated with sewage.

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of various Lactobacillus acidophilus strains.

Seven L. acidophilus strains were examined for their antibiotic sensitivity against various chemotherapeutic agents and all of them were found to be sensitive to novobicin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, erythromycin, oxytetracycline and chlorotetracycline, whereas, all were resistant to norfloxacin and nalidixic acid. The sensitivity towards remaining antibiotics varied among the strains. The results show that cultures should be tested for their sensitivity towards commonly used chemotherapeutic agents to eliminate starter failure during manufacture of cultured milk products.

Experimental model of staphylococcal osteomyelitis in dogs.

Osteomyelitis was induced in 45 male dogs by inoculating hemolytic strain of Staphylococcus aureus alone into the tibial marrow cavity. Clinical, radiological and bacteriological studies were conducted to evaluate the progress of disease up to 15 weeks. Clinical signs consisted of localized soft tissue swelling, pain, pyrexia and lameness which later developed an open wound with purulent exudation. Predominant radiographic features were extensive periosteal reaction, cortical lysis, new bone formation, frequent development of sequestrum and formation of localized abscess pockets in advanced cases. Staphylococci were recovered from the tibial marrow cavity for as long as 15 weeks after onset of the infection.