RESUMO
Background: India is the first country to implement National family planning programme in 1952. Use of contraceptives can prevent at least 25% of all maternal deaths by allowing women to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, and protect themselves from sexually transmitting diseases. Even though there is wide availability of various types of contraceptives, the rate of population growth and unplanned pregnancies is still high. The acceptance and knowledge of contraceptive methods varies within the societies and factors responsible operate at the individual, family and community level.Methods: A hospital based, cross-sectional study was conducted during August 2018 at McGann Hospital, Shimoga. The study sample included 200 women in the age group of 20 to 40 years attending immunization clinic with their children. Informed consent was taken from the subjects after explaining the purpose of the study to them. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data by face-to-face interview of the study participants.Results: Out of 200 women 51% were aged between 20 to 24 years of age. Majority (72%) were Hindus. 67.5% were currently using contraception. Among acceptors of family planning 42.3% had undergone tubectomy. OCP was the most commonly used temporary method of contraception. Age of the woman, religion, education, husband’s education and number of children were found to be significantly associated with contraceptive usage.Conclusions: Factors influencing fertility and contraceptive practices should be properly assessed and addressed. Newly married couples should be motivated for accepting spacing methods.
RESUMO
Background: Globally, each year malnutrition is implicated in about 40% of the 11 million deaths of under-five children in developing countries. Under nutrition is still the major problem in our country especially in underserved areas such as urban slums and rural areas. So we undertook this study to assess the factors associated with malnutrition and risk of infections among malnourished children. Methods: Study design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Duration: January 2013 - December 2013 (1 year). 182 malnourished children admitted to department of paediatrics during the study period. Prestructured-pre tested closed ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. The parents were interviewed; case sheets and other records were searched to get the necessary information. Results: The study was conducted among 182 under nourished children who admitted to department of paediatrics, in the calendar of 2013. Out of 182 children, 80 (43.96%) were boys and 102 (56.04%) were girls. More than 2/3rd (68.6%) under nourished children were in the age group of 0-3 years. Most common co-morbidity found was respiratory tract infection (44%) followed by acute gastro enteritis (22.5%) and fever (Pyrexia of unknown origine-22.5%). Conclusion: Children of relatively younger age, from rural areas and girls are the common victims of malnutrition. Respiratory tract infections and acute gastro-enteritis were the common co-morbid conditions found among malnourished children. Nutrition education has to be imparted to the people regarding consumption of cost effective nutritious diet (Emphasize it in Village health and Nutrition day).