Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding Climacteric Among Rural Women in Jammu District of UT of J and K, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The word Climacteric is shrouded in a culture of silence in our country, more so in the vast rural swathes of India. This survey was carried out to assess the knowledge and perceptions regarding climacteric in rural females of the Jammu district. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Kot-Bhalwal health block of Jammu district. A sample of 215 was calculated assuming a minimum prevalence of 65% of menopausal symptoms. Using a two-step simple random sampling technique, a total of 245 postmenopausal women from four villages of the health block were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Among the sources of information about climacteric, family and friends were prime sources followed by community elders. About one-third (35.10%) of the respondents had no discussion about climacteric with anyone. The majority of the participants had a positive perception of climacteric and described it as a feeling of relief. About 77.9% of study participants rated their health as poor to fair. However, about one-fourth of women had taken health checkups for menopause-related symptoms. None of the respondents had any clue about oncological screening. Conclusion: Despite positive perceptions, there is a need to dispel the misconceptions with rigorous awareness and counseling. The role of village-level health workers along with ANM at Sub Health Centers/Health and wellness centers is the game-changer in this context. Every opportunity including Antenatal clinics should be utilized to educate as well as screen menopausal females for various health problems.

Prevalence and Determinants of Cognitive Impairment and Depression among the Elderly Population in a Rural Area of North India.

BACKGROUND: Demographic transition has resulted in population aging, which has led to advancement in multiple geriatric problems including cognitive impairment (CI) and depression. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to find the prevalence and determinants of CI and depression in the rural elderly population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in a rural area. The prevalence of CI was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination scale and depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The data so collected were analyzed using PSPP software. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 67.47 ± 6.43 years. The prevalence of CI and geriatric depression was found to be 36% (153/425) and 29.1% (124/425), respectively. Variables which were found to have independent significant association on multivariate analysis with CI were literacy, memory complaints, and depression. For geriatric depression, an independent association was seen with literacy, socioeconomic status, memory complaints, stress in the family, and presence of CI. CI and geriatric depression were found to be strongly correlated with each other (r = -0.252, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-third of the geriatric population is suffering from depression (29.1%) and CI (36%). This necessitates for accurate and timely diagnosis, so as to ensure proper care and support to the elderly population with emphasis on geriatric mental health care.

Epidemiological determinants of low birth weight: A prospective study.

CONTEXT: Infant and child survival is recognized as an essential ingredient for the overall health of a society. AIMS: To study the magnitude and epidemiological determinants of LBW. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Community-based longitudinal study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted for a period of 1 year in Block R.S Pura, Jammu where 364 pregnant women registered at four randomly selected PHCs were followed to assess the magnitude of LBW and to study its association with various determinants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data was analyzed using MS Excel and Open epi version 3.01. RESULTS: Severe anemia, heavy physical activity, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, extreme ages, and short stature of women were found to be significantly associated with a higher incidence of LBW babies. CONCLUSION: There is a need to focus on the sensitization of grass-root level health workers as well as pregnant females and their families on the importance of antenatal care, good dietary practices, etc., Thus, strengthening the primary health care system is vital in ensuring optimum health of both mothers and newborns.

Prevalence and correlates of depression in a rural adult population in Northwest India.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are showing a discerning upward trend globally and it is projected that by 2030, depression would be the leading cause of disease burden globally. Depression has not only confined the developed world but is increasingly seen as a major public health problem in the developing world too. METHODS: A stratified two-stage design was used to conduct a house-to-house survey in selected villages among consenting eligible members of the family. A three-part questionnaire, with the first part eliciting sociodemographic information was used. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the second part of the questionnaire was used to screen those positive for depression and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The third part was used for rating the depression. Data thus collected was analyzed and Chi-square test was used as test of significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was found to be 8.94% (73/816). Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI- II) for rating the depression revealed that mild depression was present in nearly half of the cases (47.95%), while 39.7% and 9.5% of the cases had moderate and severe depression, respectively. Among the various variables, literacy level, marital status, alcohol intake, chronic illness, and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with the depression. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression to the tune of 8.94% in rural adults seems to be a cause of concern for the health planners. Prevention and treatment of depression must be taken on priority and as a challenge by the health professionals.

Is there a need to cover all households under health insurance schemes: A cross-sectional study in a rural area of Jammu.

BACKGROUND: For tackling unforeseen health expenditure and improving healthcare accessibility in general, it is important that people should not only be aware but also be covered under health insurance schemes. The present study was conducted with the aim to assess the health expenditure, health insurance awareness, and coverage among rural households. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in randomly selected families falling under a rural health block in Jammu district of Jammu & Kashmir, Union Territory. A predesigned, pretested, and semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: A total of 380 families were surveyed, of which 14.5% belonged to the priority household group. Among the priority and nonpriority households, 8.80% and 5.69% of monthly income were spent on health-related activities and 9.91% of household expenditure was on health. A total of 24.32% of priority households had even borrowed money to meet health expenditures. A total of 28.15% families had heard about the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Attitude towards health insurance was positive in both groups. A total of 29.23% of nonpriority households and 14.54% of priority households had health insurance coverage. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of household expenditure was health related. The absence of good insurance coverage raises the need for policies and laws to cover all the households under health insurance schemes.