RESUMEN
The third National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) is a large dataset on indicators of family welfare, maternal and child health, and nutrition in India. This article using NFHS-3 data is an attempt to bring out the impact of economic status, i.e., the wealth index on maternal health. The study was based on an analysis of the NFHS-3 data. Independent variables taken were the wealth index, literacy, and age at first child birth. Effects of these variables on the maternal health care services were investigated. Out of the total 124,385 women aged 15-49 years included in the NFHS-3 dataset, 36,850 (29.6%) had one or more childbirth during the past 5 years. The number of antenatal care (ANC) visits increased as the wealth index increased and there was a pattern for choice of place of delivery (for all deliveries during the last 5 years) according to the wealth index. Logistic regression analysis of the abovementioned variables were sought to find out the independent role of key determinants of the different aspects of maternal health care. It showed that the wealth index is the leading key independent determinant for three or more ANC received: Tetanus toxoid (TT) received before delivery, iron tablet/syrup taken for more than 100 days, and institutional delivery. Mother's literacy was the leading independent key determinant for early antenatal registration. The study suggested that along with the mother's literacy, the wealth index that is an important predictor of maternal health care can be added for categorization of the districts for providing differential approach for maternal health care services.
RESUMEN
Literature reveals theories explaining low birth weight (LBW) babies’ unplanned catch-up growth is related to several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adult-life. Is the current growth chart as per World Health Organization child growth standards of healthy breast feed infants and young child is applicable for even LBW or small for gestational age babies? There are high chances that these LBW babies who are growing “in their centiles” will be diagnosed as mild or moderate protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in clinical settings as the current diagnostic criteria for PEM do not include birth weight as an indicator. Besides they are encouraged for home based extra caloric food to gain weight and thereby encouraging them to “crossing the percentile” in the growth curve. Do these managements really benefit the baby or are we inadvertently exposing them to increased future risk of adult diseases must be considered seriously. Thus, we may require revision to make a separate standardized growth chart for LBW babies indicating how they should grow.
RESUMEN
Background: Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. One of the most cost effective strategies identified for better cancer control is emphasis on health education. Aims & Objective: This study was undertaken to explore knowledge and awareness of the students of degree colleges about cancer and also to assess the impact of health education on improving awareness about cancer on these students. Material and Methods: The study is a descriptive interventional study with pre and post intervention evaluation. Knowledge about cancer was assessed before and after a short lecture with the help of predesigned, pre tested, semi structured proforma. A total of 563 students were included in the study. Results: Knowledge about cancer was found to be lacking among students as assessed in various spheres such as epidemiology (59.86%), clinical features (22.75%), diagnosis (41.0%)), treatment (41.39%) and preventive measures (63.94%). Statistically significant improvement in knowledge was found after health education. The percentage of students with poor knowledge was reduced from 43.16% to only 18.47% following health education. Conclusion: The method of health education through group approach should be applied at community level because health education is an effective tool to increase the knowledge and awareness regarding cancer.