Morbidity and treatment seeking behavior among adolescent girls in a rural area of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.

A community based, cross-sectional study, conducted in 1999 in a rural area of West Bengal, among 143 adolescent girls (10-19 years), selected through multistage sampling procedure revealed prevalence of acute and chronic morbidity as 30.8% and 7.7% respectively. 84.1% adolescent girls sought for treatment during acute morbidity from various sources; only 22.7% from Government health facilities. Non- availability of medicine (34%), long distance (24%) and poor quality of treatment (10%) were the main reasons for non-utilization of Government health facilities.

Nutritional status of adolescent girls in a rural area of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.

A community based, cross-sectional study was conducted during June to December 1999 in Amdanga block of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. Among a sample of 143 adolescent girls (10-19 years), selected through multistage sampling procedure. Data was collected by interviewing the adolescent girls and their parent, whenever necessary using pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured schedule. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using standardized methodology as recommended by WHO and standard clinical examination procedures were followed. Standard operational definitions were used. Appropriate statistical tests like Chi-square test were applied as and when required. Overall prevalence of 'thinness' and 'stunting' were found to be 14.7% and 37.8% respectively. There was no significant association (p > 0.05) of thinness or stunting with per capita monthly family income and literacy status of parents. Common nutritional deficiency disorders were anaemia (44.8%), dental caries (25.9%), angular stomatitis (15.4%) etc.

A study on morbidity pattern of child labourers engaged in different occupations in a slum area of Calcutta.

A cross-sectional study of 150 child labourers engaged in different occupations in a slum area of Calcutta was conducted to assess their health and nutritional status. Most (88%) of them had some type of morbidity. Female child workers (95.5%) suffered more than the males (84.7%). Most prevalent morbidities among the child labourers were seen as pallor (49.3%) followed by pediculosis (48%), dental caries (28.6%), malnutrition (22.6%), worm infestation (20.6%) and scabies (16.6%). Garage workers were observed to suffer less from any type of morbidity except pallor which may be attributed to lead exposure. Rag-pickers had significantly (p < 0.05) more risk of developing worm infestation, scabies and pediculosis whereas domestic helpers had significantly (p < 0.05) more risk of developing pediculosis. Occupational hazards were also studied but excepting pallor in garage workers and scabies in rag-pickers, nothing could be documented.

Efficacy of oral rehydration therapy in dehydrating diarrhoea of children.

Establishment of diarrhoea treatment and training units (DTTUs) in all major health facilities for promotion of appropriate oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is an important strategy for control of diarrhoeal diseases (CDD) in children in this country. Univariate analysis of mortality experiences of a random sample of 225 diarrhoea cases among children treated at DTTU in the department of paediatric medicine, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata revealed that case fatality rate (CFR) of diarrhoea was much higher among children treated with parenteral fluid therapy with or without drugs (20.6% and 20.9% respectively), compared to those treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS) only (0.75%). Certain child care practices, like immunisation, breastfeeding and use of ORS at home also favourably influenced survival of children suffering from diarrhoea. The CFR of diarrhoea cases did not depend on type of diarrhoea or nutritional status of the child. Thus, promotion of correct practice of ORT merits attention through all possible means.