Factors associated with underweight and stunting among children in rural Terai of eastern Nepal.

Malnutrition continues to affect a large proportion of children in the developing world. The authors undertook this study to identify biologic, socioeconomic, and health care factors associated with underweight and stunting in young children in an the eastern Tarai (plains) district of Nepal. Data were collected via questionnaires from mothers of 443 children aged 6 to 36 months in Sunsari district. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select villages and children. Anthropometric measurements were made on both children and their mothers. Logistic regression was used to measure the independent (adjusted) effect of risk and protective factors on the odds of underweight or stunting. More than half (53.3%) of the children were found to be underweight (<2 standard deviations weight for age below reference median) and more than one third (36.6%) had stunting (<2 standard deviations height for age below reference median). Low maternal body mass index, child's age, higher birth order, and lower standard of living score were strong predictors of underweight, whereas mother's education >5 years and participation in vitamin A and nutritional programs were protective. Infant age, low maternal body mass index, and low standard of living score were significant risk factors for stunting, whereas mother's education >5 years was strongly protective. These results suggest that underweight and stunting are the result of a nexus of biological, socioeconomic, and health care factors.

Impact of family health exercise program on health knowledge and practice of a rural population of eastern Nepal.

BACKGROUND: It is important to know the impact of health education on community. This may lead to improve the programs, commitment to students and staffs by taking feedback. These activities are aimed at producing changes in the community. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of health education as intervention program during Family Health Exercise (FHE) about the knowledge and practice of people related to health in a village of eastern Nepal. METHODS: During FHE, health education was given by the 3rd year medical students to the head of the 30 families. The neighbour 30 families were taken as control, where no health education was given. These two groups were compared after 6 months. RESULTS: Sanitary practice (Hand washing) before meal was known to both groups. But the material used for washing hand (soap and ash) was 53% in intervention as compared to 30% in control group. People were aware about the importance of care of the mother during pregnancy and lactation, but more in intervention group. The knowledge and practice for starting semisolid food other than breast milk for infants during weaning were higher in intervention (89%) than control (31%) group. CONCLUSION: There was significant change in the knowledge and practice of woman (mainly host) who received health education. The community also benefited in terms of their health knowledge and practices. Such programs are useful for the community at large.

Epilepsy epidemic due to benzahexachlorine.

A report of eight cases with grand mal seizures secondary to accidental ingestion/exposure to benzahexachlorine has been presented. Persistant neurological signs and biochemical tests have been described. Seizures affected even the domestic animals like cows and buffaloes. Discussion of various clinical syndromes, treatment of organochlorine pesticide and their persistence in human body for years after removal from source of exposure is emphasized. Preventive measures are recommended. the authors are not aware of any similar reports from this part of the country.