Prevalence of VDRL sero-positivity in women in reproductive age group in an urban slum community in Bombay.

A cross sectional survey was carried in an Urban Slum Community in Bombay having a population of 60,000. A total of 393 women in reproductive age group were screened for VDRL reactivity. The highest prevalence was in 15 to 29 years of age group. The sero-positivity rate at 1:8 dilution and above was 0.50%. The seropositivity rate can be further brought down by properly planned and implemented STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Control activities at a community level.

Hospitals as health centres.

As a signatory to the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, the Government of India is committed to taking steps to provide 'Health for All' to its citizens by 2000 AD. We have agreed to adopt the primary health care approach, for achieving the goal of HFA. In this context, it is very essential to redefine the role of hospital. It will not be possible to achieve the goal-HFA unless, hospitals start functioning as health centres. This paper discusses in details how a hospital can function as health centre.

A total care of the female child -- a step towards safe motherhood.

PIP: The global safe motherhood initiative aims to reduce maternal deaths by at least half by the year 2000. In India there are about 500 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births as compared with 7/100,000 in the United Kingdom. It is thought that for every woman who dies, about 20 women suffer damage to their health. Preference for sons is widespread in India and evidence suggests that son preference goes hand in hand with neglect of daughters. During childhood, boys and girls require, on a weight-for-weight basis, equal amounts of all nutrients, yet in many places girls receive less than their brothers. There is considerable direct and indirect evidence of higher morbidity among female children. In a community survey, a larger number of female children were found sick as compared with males and the percentage of males getting some medical treatment was much higher than the percentage of females. Various reports on the duration of breast feeding indicate some preference for longer feeding for boys. There is overwhelming evidence that girls are also given less care during sickness than their brothers, resulting in increased rates of female mortality in childhood. Several reports have highlighted the higher mortality among females except in the first week or a month of life. In India the situation of female literacy rate reveals that the age- specific enrollment ratio in the age group 6-14 is only 31.57% for girls as compared with 54.44% for boys. Women with education are likely to marry later, delay childbearing, use family planning, seek prenatal care, and avoid harmful traditional practices. Malnutrition in childhood can cause nutritional stunting, which may mean short maternal height. Low maternal height has been found to account for a sizable number of low birth weight babies. Underinvestment in daughters' education is a factor that significantly affects the health of the future generation.^ieng