Subject(s)
Health Policy , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Health Services/supply & distribution , Human Rights , Drug Industry , Environment , Female , Health Services/economics , Health Services Accessibility/economics , Humans , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Mortality , National Health Programs/organization & administration , Pregnancy , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
AIM: The data on semen analysis of subjects attending the Fertility Clinic at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare) Munirka, New Delhi for the last 11 years were analyzed to verify the claims and speculations on declining sperm counts in men. METHODS: Approximately 10 % of the records every year starting from 1990 to 2000 (numbering 1176 in total) were randomly selected for analysis. Subjects with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the men attending the infertility clinic was 31.2 years. The average semen volume and sperm count were found to be (2.6+/-0.1) mL and (60.6+/-0.9)X10(6)/mL, respectively. No significant decline in sperm counts was observed in any year during the entire study period. Only 1.8 % of the total number of sperm counts in the random sampling were less then 20 X10(6)/mL. On the basis of WHO criteria on motility, the total percentage of non-progressive and non-motile sperm in the ejaculate was higher (63 %) as compared to the combined categories of slow and rapid linear progressive. CONCLUSION: The present study has confirmed similar findings from other different countries that declining sperm counts in humans is not a global phenomenon.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Male/therapy , Semen/cytology , Adult , Aging/physiology , Humans , India , Male , Middle Aged , Socioeconomic Factors , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility/physiologyABSTRACT
Low birth weight (LBW) is responsible for a significant proportion of child morbidity and mortality apart from its possible role in the occurrence of chronic disease in adult life. This study highlights the overall low incidence of LBWs at 13.6% among the Armed Forces families. The Other Ranks had a proportionally higher incidence of LBW at 24.14%. 82.14% of the LBWs occurred in the age group of 20-29 yrs, with only 6.93% of the births being teenage pregnancies. Primiparous women accounted for 54.95% of births but 75% of the LBWs. Smoking was not a significant factor. The findings underscore the need for special attention to other rank families and primiparas. A continued effort at updating the health care facilities provided to the Armed Forces families, and a concerted health and dietary advice by the authorised medical attendants, directed at the primiparous women, will further help lower the incidence of LBWs. The National LBW target of less than 10% by 2000 AD is definitely achievable by the Armed Forces.
ABSTRACT
Three hundred and one underfive children belonging to Armed Forces families were studied for their anthropometric and haemoglobin status. Their weights, MUAC and haemoglobin were superior as compared with the children in the general civil population as reported in various studies. 82.39% had weights above 80% of Harvard median. Chest circumference and head circumference crossing took place between 12-23 months. 69.56% had MUAC within normal limits and 59.81% had haemoglobin levels of 11 gm/dl or more. The healthier nutritional status of the underfives in the Armed Forces population is attributable to a healthier environment and an easy access to comprehensive health care facilities made available to them. It can be further improved by augmenting and modernising the MCH services with a view to provide quality care.
