Indian Journal of Community Health
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Infant and Young Child Feeding practices and risk factors of SAM among beneficiaries of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre – a cohort study
Get PDFIntroduction: Mission Balam Sukham\u27s Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) combats malnutrition through prevention, treatment, and community engagement, ensuring children receive adequate nutrition for healthy growth. Objective: To document IYCF practices and risk factors of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among NRC beneficiaries Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted comprising of 63 children aged 6 months to 5 years having SAM alongwith complications admitted at NRC of South Gujarat over the duration of 10 months. Observations: 90.5% poverty, 57.1% migrants, 7.9% single parent. 69.8% initiated breastmilk within 1hr, 15.9% weren’t fed with colostrum, 6.3% were given pre-lacteals. 93.7% were exclusively breastfed, 6.3% initiated breastmilk at the time of 6 months. 16%, 60% and 9.8% met the criteria of MDD, MMF and MAD respectively. Boys show significant association on admission and discharge both (t = 2.43, p= 0.026 on admission and t= 2.66, p= 0.015 on discharge). In 13-24 months, MDD group (t = 2.34, p=0.02), children not suffering from anaemia shows significant weight (t=-2.540, p=0.18). Conclusion & Recommendations: Children\u27s weight improvement is linked to better IYCF practices, emphasizing its importance of caregiver attention and education, highlighting need to address cultural barriers and promote practices like exclusive breastfeeding and continuous breastfeeding, focusing on empowering mothers and caretakers
The Role of Perceived Stigma and Social Support in Predicting the Quality of Life in Adult Patients living with HIV/AIDS attending ART centre in a tertiary care hospital in North India
Get PDFBackground: HIV/AIDS remains an international public health concern causing enormous morbidity and mortality. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the outlook for patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), many still face psychosocial challenges that negatively impact their quality of life (QOL). HIV related perceived stigma and social support have a bearing on their QOL. Aims and Objectives: To assess the QOL of PLWHA attending an ART centre in Jammu, India and to assess the role of perceived stigma and social support in predicting QOL in this population. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART centre of Government Medical College, Jammu for 8 months. A sample of 300 PLWHA was selected using a convenience sampling strategy. Data was collected using questionnaires assessing socio-demographic profile, QOL (POZQOL), perceived stigma (12-item short version of the HIV stigma scale), and perceived social support (MSPSS). Results: Mean scores for various domains of QOL i.e. Psychological, Social, Health concerns and Functional were 10.79±3.76, 10.18±3.70, 8.81±3.16 and 10.76±3.35 respectively. Perceived Stigma and social support were found to be significantly correlated with all QOL domains. Conclusion: QOL of PLWHA was enormously influenced by various socio-demographic factors, stigma, and perceived social support. Targeted interventions to reduce stigma, strengthen social support systems can improve QOL for PLWHA
Monkeypox- need for Vigilant Health system and Regulations towards a Global Health Threat
Get PDFA viral illness caused by the monkey pox virus, monkeypox is now known as Mpox. It is a zoonotic infectious disease causing painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, backpain and low energy.
According to WHO, most cases in 2022 were in Africa but later m-pox was reported from USA, Europe Australia & Canada. Mpox continues to be a threat today, with upsurge of cases in Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in Africa. Since 2022, there has also been an upsurge in mpox cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over 120 countries have reported mpox between Jan 2022-Aug 2024, with over 1,00,000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported and over 220 deaths among confirmed cases. In India, MoHFW reported 30 cases in the last 2022 outbreak, with last case occurring in March 2024.
The monkeypox virus was discovered in Denmark (1958) in monkeys kept for research. The first reported human case of mpox was a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1970). Mpox steadily emerged in central, east and west Africa following the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the end of smallpox vaccination worldwide. In 2003, there was an outbreak in the United States of America, linked to imported wild animals. Since 2005, thousands of cases are reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo every year.
In May 2022, an outbreak of mpox appeared suddenly and rapidly spread across Europe, the Americas and then all six WHO regions including refugee camps in the Republic of the Sudan
Socio-demographic Determinants of Caesarean Section Deliveries in India: Descriptive analysis of Cross-sectional data from National Family Health Survey
Get PDFBackground: Increase in global rate of Caesarean deliveries poses significant public health concerns as it is associated with high costs and risks for maternal, new born health. In India understanding determinants of Caesarean deliveries is of paramount importance in order to prevent maternal and child health morbidity and mortality. Aims and Objective: To investigate the socio-demographic determinants of Caesarean deliveries in India using cross-sectional data from National Family Health Survey. Methodology: The present study is a cross-sectional record based study using data from National Family Health Survey conducted in India between 2019 and 2021. The primary outcome variable is Caesarean delivery, while predictors are socio-demographic and obstetric factors. Frequency analysis used for socio-demographic variables and binary logistic regression was used to determine the determinants of Caesarean deliveries among women in the reproductive age group. The analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 Software. Results: The socio-demographic and obstetric factors like maternal age, residence, education, employment, BMI, Birth order, number of Antenatal visits, place of delivery, wealth index, and media exposure are associated with Caesarean delivery. Conclusions: The study provides insights into the factors influencing Caesarean deliveries rates among women in India
Tobacco consumption and associated factors among tribal adolescent students in Terai-Dooars region, West Bengal
Get PDFBackground: Tobacco is one of the major causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Around the world, tobacco is one of the leading causes of tobacco-related cancer. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of tobacco use among tribal adolescents in Terai-Doars region, and to determine the related risk factors. Methodology: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among 680 tribal adolescent students of government schools in Teria-Dooars region of West Bengal, from April 2022 to October 2022. After obtaining consent, data on socio-demographics and tobacco consumption were collected. Significance was tested using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The proportion of tobacco consumption among tribal adolescent students was found to be 45.7%. Male (58.1%) and female (28.2%) adolescents were found to be regular consumers. Male adolescents primarily prefer smokeless tobacco, with 58% starting their habit between 12-15 years age. Male adolescents preferred smokeless tobacco, with a significant proportion starting their habit between 12-15 years (58%). High consumption of Khaini (52.6%), Guthka (46.6%), and Cigarette (42.4%) is observed. Age (<0.001), sex (<0.001), religion (0.029), socio-economic level (0.004), and family history (0.003) significantly associated with tobacco consumption. Conclusions: Overall proportion of tobacco use was high among the tribal adolescents, with most starting smoking at an early age. The major risk factor that contributed was the family members\u27 tobacco use
COVID-19 apprehension in the post pandemic era
Get PDFBackground: A novel coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The pandemic brought all people closer to internet to access information about the disease and its prevention. However, this intention of gaining knowledge is a spinal reaction to an adverse situation and once that has passed, the same knowledge and practices decline. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the apprehension regarding COVID-19 along with its demographic correlates in the post-pandemic era. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in district Ghaziabad using a pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire regarding the awareness and knowledge levels of COVID-19. Regression analysis was performed to determine the factors significantly associated with the knowledge of the study participants. Results: In this study, 277 (69.25%) were males and 123(30.75%) were females. The mean knowledge score was 25.09 ± 6.85 (range 4-41). Knowledge regarding various aspects of COVID-19 was better among the study participants with higher education levels. Conclusion: Even after the pandemic had passed, good knowledge levels were retained. Participants had a huge disparity in the individual levels of information. Overall higher levels of education, younger age group and nuclear family were associated with better knowledge regarding the disease
How do national and regional print media capture health news and information in India?
Get PDFBackground: Mass media significantly contributes to the dissemination of scientific information, including health information on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, national programs, and government schemes. Aims and objectives: To identify the number of news articles related to health in 4 regional newspapers and to classify the news items in terms of type of disease/ health issue covered. Methodology: Four leading newspapers were reviewed to identify the health-related news, their importance in terms of location in the newspaper, and the type of health issue covered. These were further classified based on the level of evidence used. Results: We extracted 720 health-related articles; 411 in English and 309 in Kannada dailies. The English newspaper had maximum coverage on environment 95 (23.1%) and health advisories 60 (14.5%). The Kannada papers on the other hand were dominated by health advisories 65 (21%), followed by nutrition and fitness 48 (15.3%), and environment 40 (12.9%). After the articles were categorized according to their evidence, it was discovered that 92% of them were evidence-based, with 84% of those articles based on Grade-II evidence. Conclusion: Health news in newspapers varies, often focusing on environment and health advisories, and relies heavily on expert opinion rather than empirical data
Influence of feeding practices on Childhood illness
Get PDFBackground: The phase between a child\u27s birth and the age of two years is crucial for ensuring the child’s growth and development through optimal feeding habits. Breastfeeding is considered one of the most effective methods for ensuring the health and survival of children. Aim & Objective: This study aims to access the influence of feeding practices on childhood illness. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among 280 mothers having children less than 2 years of age attending primary health centres adopted by the Department of Community Medicine JSS medical college, Mysuru. Data regarding feeding practices and childhood illnesses were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire prepared based in Infant and Young Child Feeding guidelines by interviewing the mothers. Result: Among the study population, 75.4% of children in urban and 75.7% of children in rural suffered from childhood illness. It was observed that childhood illness was more common among children with poor feeding practices (75.7% in rural and 93.5% in urban) and the association was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The study sheds light on the importance of appropriate feeding practices, which have a higher influence on a child\u27s health
Supportive supervision of village, health, sanitation and nutrition day (VHSND) during post-pandemic period in Assam
Get PDFBackground: VHSND, a community platform bringing health, early childhood development, nutrition, and sanitation services by community engagement was affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Aims & Objectives: To assess the process of VHSND implementation during post-pandemic period in Assam. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted as operational research in five districts of Assam, selected based on zonal representation; between Sept’2021- Aug’2022. Standard format (GOI) was used for VHSND monitoring. Descriptive analysis was done along with quarter-wise comparison of observations and knowledge of Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM). Results: A total of 370 VHSND sessions were observed. VHSND micro plan availability increased from 87.5% to 98.4% over four quarters. Displaying banners varied between 56.3% and 79.5%, and functional toilets increased from 41.3% to 77%. Height measurement improved from 58.8% to 88.5%. Haemoglobin estimation varied between 46.3% and 75.4%. Recognition of high-risk pregnancies due to severe anaemia increased from 60% to 91.8%. Regarding danger signs like bleeding from vagina increased from 50.0% to 95.1%. Conclusion: Notable progress could be documented in logistical readiness and ANM knowledge in different quarters in post-pandemic period. While service delivery and ANM counselling efforts have seen improvement, targeted interventions remain crucial for optimizing maternal and child health outcomes in the region
Percolating Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Rural North India
Get PDFBackground: World has seen a tremendous epidemiological transition in disease patterns from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Currently cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of disability and premature deaths globally. Objective: (1) To know prevalence of various risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in the rural area of Meerut. (2) To find out the association of sociodemographic factors with hypertension. Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Machchra village. Methods: The study was conducted among 315 study participants over time period of one year in which all the adults aged >30 years above residing in the ward of study area were included. Sampling technique used was systematic random sampling. Results: The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia was found to be 30.2%, 22.2% and 15.2% respectively. The prevalence of pre-obese and obese were 14.3% and 7.0% respectively. The maximum prevalence of hypertension was seen in the age group of 70 years (66.7%), in females (30.6%), SES as class IV (36.5%), secondary school completed population (42.9%) and among homemakers (40.9%). The prevalence of hypertension was found to be statistically significant in relation to age, educational status and occupation. Conclusion: In our study the prevalence of hypertension was found to be 30.2% (in males 29.6% while in females 30.6%)