A study on acceptability of Indian system of medicine and homeopathy in India: results from the State of West Bengal.

OBJECTIVES: Institute for Research in Medical Statistics, Indian Council of Medical Research, Delhi undertook a study to obtain all India estimate of utilization of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H). METHODS: The study covered 35 districts spreading over 19 States of India. In this article, results for the State of West Bengal are being presented. Selected districts in West Bengal were Midnapore and Darjeeling where about 2400 sick persons from 2000 households were studied. RESULTS: About 20% sick persons actually availed ISM&H treatment in the State. Majority availed Homeopathy followed by Ayurvedic medicines. Use of Unani and Siddha is negligible in this State. In case of minor ailments, ISM&H was preferred by about 15% in Darjeeling district and 42% in Midnapore district. In case of serious illnesses, about 12% in Darjeeling district preferred ISM&H, but very few (about 5%) preferred this in Midnapore. 39.4% and 20.8% of sick persons sought treatment from traditional healers in Midnapore and Darjeeling district respectively. Jaundice, snakebite, dog bite and 'bone setting' were some of the conditions for which traditional healers were mostly visited. Sizable proportion (30%-89%) of sick persons used various 'kitchen remedies' for conditions like indigestion, loose motion, constipation, fever, body ache, sprain and cough & cold.

Utilization of indigenous systems of medicine & homoeopathy in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Very little information is available on the utilization of Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy (ISM&H) in India. A study was undertaken on the usage and acceptability of indigenous systems of medicine to provide estimate of utilization of different indigenous systems of medicine in the country along with the reasons for preferences as well as the cost of treatment. METHODS: The study covered 35 districts spreading over 19 States of the country. From 16 major States, two districts each were selected randomly one from the list of districts with high utilization level and another with low level of utilization. From other 3 States, one district each was selected randomly. From each selected district, 1000 households with at least one sick person were covered. This was achieved by selecting 50 Urban Frame Surveys (UFS)/villages and 20 sick persons each per village/UFS. Allocation of 50 First Stage Units (FSUs) among rural and urban sectors was made in proportion to rural-urban population of the district. From selected FSUs, 20 households with at least one sick person was selected randomly. The data were collected on the health seeking behaviour of persons who were sick (with common or serious ailments) in the last three months before survey including at the time of survey. RESULTS: About 45,000 sick persons from 33,666 households from 35 districts of the country were covered. The preference of ISM&H for common ailment was about 33 per cent while only 18 per cent preferred to use these systems in case of serious ailments in the country. The sick persons actually availing ISM&H treatment were about 14 per cent. Of those who preferred ISM&H, the reasons were mainly "no side effect" and low cost of treatment. Slow progress was the main reason for not preferring the indigenous systems. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that about 14 per cent sick persons utilizing indigenous system of medicine. Slow progress and non availability of practitioners were the main reasons for not preferring the ISM & H treatment.

Immunisation status of children in BIMARU states.

To assess the immunisation status of children in the states of Bihar, Madhaya Pradesh, Rajasthan and UP the evaluation covered BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles, Pulse Polio and Vitamin A. WHO 30 cluster survey methodology with certain modifications incorporating information on sex of the child, literacy of parents and distance of the village was used. Study covered 30 districts, 900 villages and 6300 children. About 48 per cent of children received all the vaccines (BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles) in these states as compared to 63 per cent at All India level. These states accounted for about 70 per cent of non-immunised children. The coverage levels were lower for children of illiterate mothers and in small, inaccessible and triple villages. The literacy of mother is the key to the success of the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities should specially be targeted to educate the moters in rural areas. The underserved areas of these four states should have special focus in the programme and hence the tribal, small and inaccessible villages in the coverage should be focused and targeted, immediate improvement in the coverage could also be achieved by better follow-up and reducing drop-out rate.

Immunization status of children of India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the immunization status of children in 90 districts of the country giving due representation to all States and UTs. METHODS: WHO 30 cluster survey methodology with certain modifications incorporating information on sex, literacy and distance of the village. RESULTS: Information was collected for about nineteen thousand children. Immunization program could touch about 90% of target children. About 63% of children received all the vaccines (BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles). In the states of Bihar, Rajasthan, UP, MP, and NE States (combined) coverage levels were relatively lower. The coverage levels were also lower for children of illiterate mothers and in small, inaccessible and tribal village. CONCLUSION: Immunization coverage of children has improved in recent years. Further improvement may be achieved by targeting illiterate mothers, inaccessible and tribal areas and low performing states.

Nutritional status and dietary intake in tribal children of Bihar.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dietary intake and nutritional status in children of the tribal areas of Bihar. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey with two stage probability proportional to size sampling. SETTING: Study covered 396 villages from 17 tribal districts of Bihar. SUBJECTS: 1847 preschool children (0-6 Years) were studied. METHODS: 24 hours recall method was used to assess the nutrition intake and anthropometric measurements included height and weight. Nutritional intake was compared with Indian Council of Medical Research recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and nutritional status assessed by SD classification. RESULTS: The intake of protein was broadly in line with the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) in all age groups among children. However, the average intake of energy and other nutrients was lower in allage groups as compared to RDA. Calorie deficiency was 38% whereas protein deficiency was about 19%. More than half of the children were caloric deficient in Katihar, Bokaro, Godda and Singhbhum (east and west). The overall prevalence of stunting was about 60% and underweight about 55% and was comparable in boys and girls. However, wasting was more frequent in girls (urban - 34.5% vs. 16.3% and rural - 34.9% vs 18%). The level of malnutrition was not very different in rural and urban areas. CONCLUSION: The nutritional status and dietary intakes of tribal children in Bihar is very poor. Urgent remedial measures are required in this context, particularly on a war footing in especially vulnerable districts identified by this survey.