A retrospective study on timeliness of vaccination among children aged 0 to 23 months in a rural area of Pondicherry

Background: Immunization is the cost-effective public health intervention that prevents and protects against vaccine preventable diseases. The objective was to estimate the timeliness in receiving age appropriate vaccines and to study selected factors influencing the timeliness of age appropriate vaccines as per national immunization schedule among children aged 0 to 23 months in a rural area of Pondicherry. Methods: A retrospective study was done at a Community Health Centre, Karikalampakkam, Pondicherry using data from immunization registers of children aged 0 to 23 months, who were born between July 01, 2013 to July 31, 2015. If the child was vaccinated within 7 days of the scheduled time, it was considered as timely vaccination. Results: Out of 679 children, 52% were males and 48% were females. The median days of delay in vaccination were ranged from 1-171 days. The proportion and the median days of delay were increased progressively as the age of the child increased. The place of delivery was significantly associated with birth doses of OPV, Hepatitis B and BCG vaccination. There was a significant difference in timeliness of vaccination across the birth order of the children for the first, second and third doses of OPV and Pentavalent vaccines (p=0.02). Birth weight of the children was not statistically associated with vaccination delay. Conclusions: Delay in vaccination in varying frequency was observed for the vaccines administered under the national immunisation schedule. Hence, the age-appropriate vaccinations should be given up-to-date as well as on time.

Study on perception of food items as hot or cold in the rural area of Pondicherry.

Introduction: It has been observed in our society that the theory of hot and cold is believed in and practiced by almost all section of the society. It is necessaary to know the prevalence of such belief in the community from time to time. Objectives: To know the prevalence of perception of hot or cold food items and their impact on t health status of the community. Material and methods: It was a cross sectional study done between the time period of March and April 2015 among 317 families and their members at t their doorsteps. Pretested questionnaire was filled with the information given by the subjects after their verbal consent. Descriptive questions regarding the family’s perception of hot and cold foods were asked in the categories of cereals, pulses, oils, vegetables, dairy products, non-vegiterian, fruits, beverage, spice and water. Results: Sixty six percent of the families told Brinjal, 84% told chicken and 34.6% told curd are hot foods and produces Gastrointestinal tract (74%) and Genitourinary tract (73%) illnesses. Similarly 15.6% of the families told carrot, 26.33% told grapes, 20% told fish and 58.6% told buttermilk are cold foods leading to development of respiratory tract illnesses. Only one percent of the families did not have any idea about hot or cold food items. Conclusion: The prevalence of misconception of hot or cold foods exist among families and misunderstanding about the nutritive value of food items which are likely to cause deficiency in vitamins, minerals in their family diet.

Utilization of health facilities at primary health centre by rural community of Pondicherry.

Background: The utilization of services at Primary Health Centre (PHC) by the community differs from place to place and changes over the time based on the availability of quality of services. It is also necessary to evaluate the utilization trend of primary health centre services by the community. Objective: to know the pattern of utilization by rural community on availability, utilization and perception of facilities at primary health center. Material and methods: A cross sectional, descriptive, community based study was done during September to November 2014 in selected sample from PHC area by interviewing 300 families on various aspects at their doorstep. The date collected from each family on the aspects such as awareness, availability, utilization and perception of facilities at primary health center. Results: More than 80% were aware about the PHC, its location and more than 75% on availability of free medicines and laboratory investigations. Many preferred to visit PHC for their ailments and waiting time for treatment was less than 30 minutes and 70% of families visited the PHC at least once since last 3 months for some kind of health problems. The common ailments were respiratory problems, fever episodes and accidental injuries. Nearly 50% were aware about the contents in the display of posters on various health education topics. Conclusion: Periodic assessment of pattern of utilization of PHC is important to improve the service utilization by the community through their involvement.