The COVID-19 epidemic has had a major impact on human lives as well as the global financial syste... more The COVID-19 epidemic has had a major impact on human lives as well as the global financial system. The global spread of a novel coronavirus turned into a pandemic, and its impact on humanity is currently the talk of the town. This virus has afflicted every country on the planet, and the nationwide lockdown has had a short-term worldwide environmental impact. The exponential rise in COVID-19 transmission and mortality rates has brought the entire planet to a stop as a result of its devastating implications. The country's social and economic development were severely harmed as a result of the nationwide lockdown. However, it has some good environmental effects, particularly in terms of air quality, since particulate matter (PM), NO2, and CO concentrations in major cities throughout the world are reduced. In India, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and NH3 concentrations were reduced by 51.84 percent, 53.11 percent, 52.68 percent, 17.97 percent, 30.35 percent, 0.78 percent, and 12.33...
Tuberculosis (TB) has long afflicted communities and nations. People have suffered for generation... more Tuberculosis (TB) has long afflicted communities and nations. People have suffered for generations as a result of tuberculosis, and even today, when newer methods of diagnosing and treating the disease have made it curable, people continue to suffer and dying from it and malnutrition, overcrowding, air pollution, poor living conditions, and other factors that contribute to the TB burden. Financial decentralisation, as well as increased community participation, are required to achieve TB control in India. Furthermore, RNTCP should be effectively integrated with other related programmes i.e., the NACP to address co-infection (TB-HIV) and the National Rural Health Mission. Emerging problems such as childhood tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis should be addressed. Financial decentralisation, as well as increased community participation, are required to achieve TB control in India. Furthermore, RNTCP should be effectively integrated with ...
Background: Anganwadi Centre (AWC) is government-sponsored mother and child-care center in India.... more Background: Anganwadi Centre (AWC) is government-sponsored mother and child-care center in India. Anganwadi Workers (AWW) are the kingpin of AWC, whose success depends on a large extent on ability and capacity of AWW to perform their roles and responsibilities. Aim: To evaluate the present condition of AWCS in terms of infrastructure and facilities in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. Settings and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one month in 17 AWCs (9 AWCs from Doiwala block and 8 AWCs from Raipur block) of Uttarakhand. Methods and Material: Pretested predesigned semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information from the community development project officer (CDPO), supervisors of AWCs and sarpanch. Statistical Analysis: Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 23 utilizing appropriate statistical methods. Results: On situation analysis it was found that the AWCs have limited infrastructure and equipment’s to carry o...
The article provides a comprehensive review of the current situation of micronutrient deficiencie... more The article provides a comprehensive review of the current situation of micronutrient deficiencies (MND) among children in India. It provides information of common MND with its prevalence and geographical distribution. The review includes a nationally representative survey, nutritional reports and studies conducted in the different regions of India. Iron deficiency anaemia, Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and iodine deficiency disorder are found to be the most prevalent MND among children. The prevalence of anaemia ranging from 21% to 59.2%, VAD reported as a maximum of 10.2% in one of the recent Indian studies while the total goitre rate of highest as 21.9%. With the implementation of various nutritional programs for children, these deficiencies are found to be significant mainly among pre-school children. The recommendation on strengthening existing nutritional health programmes with some new intervention strategies to improve the micronutrient status among children and to reduce the economic burden to MND in the coming years.
Background: Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is one among the best social indicators that identif... more Background: Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is one among the best social indicators that identifies social development and well-being. Various risk factors are seen contributing to its increase. Aim: The present correlational study aims to identify the spatial clustering of U5MR in different states and union territories (UTs) of India and determines its association with household characteristics. Patients and Methods: The present study incorporates primary data for 29 states and 2 UTs (Delhi and Chandigarh) of India from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (2015–2016) for secondary data analysis. The data include the outcome variable which was the U5MR and predictor variables such as households with electricity; improved source of drinking water; toilet facility; solid fuels being used for cooking; anyone smoking and living in a pucca house. Primary data were analysed using GeoDa software, employing Univariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association, Spearman's correlation coefficient, ordinary least square (OLS) and spatial error model (SEM). Results: The study showed significant spatial clustering of high U5MR in six states and one UT, namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi and clustering of lower U5MR in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Spearman's correlation showed a significant positive association of U5MR with households using solid fuel for cooking and negative association with households using electricity, with toilet facility and Living in a pucca house. The OLS and SEM spatial regression models model showed an association between households with toilet facility and in which anyone smokes at home with under-five mortality. Conclusions: U5MR shows a significant clustering geographically. This mortality indicator is influenced by the external environment such as household characteristics.
Context: The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of PHC as comprehensive primary health care... more Context: The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of PHC as comprehensive primary health care to the community and maintain an acceptable standard of quality of care. The study was conducted to assess the implementation of National Health Programmes at PHCs in Uttarakhand. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at two PHCs (Thano and Raiwala) from March 2019 to April 2019. Interviews of health functionaries and beneficiaries of national health programmes were done based on standard Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines and check list, for both PHCs. Beneficiaries under each programme were also observed. Result: Various programmes such as Universal Immunization Programme, School Health Programme, and Pulse Polio Programme, National nutrition Programme, National family welfare Programme, NPCDCS and Jansankhya Niyantran Yojna were implemented successfully at both PHCs. Although knowledge among peripheral health workers was found to be little in...
International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2020
Context: Immunization is one of the most important preventive health actions against the most chi... more Context: Immunization is one of the most important preventive health actions against the most childhood diseases. Advent of combination vaccines in immunization schedule such as Pentavalent Vaccine has given many benefits. Aim: To assess knowledge of mothers/ caregivers and health care workers regarding Pentavalent vaccine and side effects of vaccine. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Raipur Rani Block in Panchkula, Haryana. All four PHCs and one SC from each PHC of this block were selected. A total 80 mothers attending immunization clinics and 10 health workers (8 ANMs and 2 LHVs) from PHCs and SCs were enrolled in the study. Methods and Materials: Predesigned, pre-tested and semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information of mothers/caregivers of children and health workers regarding pentavalent vaccine. Statistical analysis used: Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 23 utilizing appropriate statistical methods. Results: In the present study 38.8% of mothers correctly knew about what vaccine was given to the baby on the day of immunization. Also 70% of mothers knew about side effects of the vaccine. 83.3% of health workers were aware of the diseases prevented by pentavalent vaccine. All of them had very good knowledge regarding VVM benefits, its uses and working. Conclusion: Present study indicates that lack of knowledge about the serious AEFI, inability to communicate with the clients and not adhering to open vial policy increases the chances of adverse events that can impact vaccination coverage.
BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a normal physiological process among reproductive age group females. ... more BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a normal physiological process among reproductive age group females. Although some of them show the abnormal menstrual pattern, which is influenced by several factors, including sociodemographic status, psychosocial stress, improper sleep level, etc. The identification of these risk factors associated with abnormal menstrual patterns may permit risk stratification among adolescent girls. This study was planned to determine various factors which depict menstrual cycle pattern among adolescent girls in urban India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A school-based case–control study was carried out in urban India from May to December 2019. Urban locality and schools were randomly selected, and data were collected in two phases. Adolescent girls in the age group of 10–19 years studying in government and private (both Hindi medium and English medium) schools of urban India were screened for the abnormal menstrual pattern. Equal numbers of age-matched controls were also enrolled. Data were collected with the help of self-administered predesigned pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, and McNemar tests were used to analyze data using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: A total of 100 cases and 100 age-matched controls (mean age 14.8 ± 1.5 years) were included in the study, almost half of the cases and controls have normative menarche. Improper sleep patterns increased stress levels, and low education status of mothers show statistically significant (P = 0.047) association with abnormal menstrual patterns. CONCLUSION: More stress, improper sleep levels, and low education status of mothers among school-going adolescent girls were strongly associated with abnormal menstrual patterns with more symptoms during menstruation.
Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the major health problems leading to materna... more Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the major health problems leading to maternal mortality. Globally, one woman dies every 7 min due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDOP). Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia contribute majority of maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in India. Methods: A systematic search was done through PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus for studies conducted on HDOP. All studies that met inclusion criteria published till January 2020 were included and analysed. The analysis was done using STATA 20.0 software (STATA Version 20.0 is sufficient). The pooled prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy was estimated using both mixed-effects and random-effects models. Results: A total of 18 studies with 92,220 study participants (pregnant women) were included in this review. The estimated overall pooled prevalence of HDOP in India was found to be 11% (95% confidence interval, 5%–17%). Most of the included studies were cross sectional and from the southern zone of India. Conclusions: The overall pooled estimate shows high prevalence, i.e., 1 out of 11 women suffers from pregnancy-induced hypertension. High prevalence of hypertension in the study population demands the attention of policymakers and healthcare professionals. Better implementation of early screening of hypertension during pregnancy should be undertaken.
The COVID-19 epidemic has had a major impact on human lives as well as the global financial syste... more The COVID-19 epidemic has had a major impact on human lives as well as the global financial system. The global spread of a novel coronavirus turned into a pandemic, and its impact on humanity is currently the talk of the town. This virus has afflicted every country on the planet, and the nationwide lockdown has had a short-term worldwide environmental impact. The exponential rise in COVID-19 transmission and mortality rates has brought the entire planet to a stop as a result of its devastating implications. The country's social and economic development were severely harmed as a result of the nationwide lockdown. However, it has some good environmental effects, particularly in terms of air quality, since particulate matter (PM), NO2, and CO concentrations in major cities throughout the world are reduced. In India, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, and NH3 concentrations were reduced by 51.84 percent, 53.11 percent, 52.68 percent, 17.97 percent, 30.35 percent, 0.78 percent, and 12.33...
Tuberculosis (TB) has long afflicted communities and nations. People have suffered for generation... more Tuberculosis (TB) has long afflicted communities and nations. People have suffered for generations as a result of tuberculosis, and even today, when newer methods of diagnosing and treating the disease have made it curable, people continue to suffer and dying from it and malnutrition, overcrowding, air pollution, poor living conditions, and other factors that contribute to the TB burden. Financial decentralisation, as well as increased community participation, are required to achieve TB control in India. Furthermore, RNTCP should be effectively integrated with other related programmes i.e., the NACP to address co-infection (TB-HIV) and the National Rural Health Mission. Emerging problems such as childhood tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis should be addressed. Financial decentralisation, as well as increased community participation, are required to achieve TB control in India. Furthermore, RNTCP should be effectively integrated with ...
Background: Anganwadi Centre (AWC) is government-sponsored mother and child-care center in India.... more Background: Anganwadi Centre (AWC) is government-sponsored mother and child-care center in India. Anganwadi Workers (AWW) are the kingpin of AWC, whose success depends on a large extent on ability and capacity of AWW to perform their roles and responsibilities. Aim: To evaluate the present condition of AWCS in terms of infrastructure and facilities in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. Settings and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one month in 17 AWCs (9 AWCs from Doiwala block and 8 AWCs from Raipur block) of Uttarakhand. Methods and Material: Pretested predesigned semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information from the community development project officer (CDPO), supervisors of AWCs and sarpanch. Statistical Analysis: Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 23 utilizing appropriate statistical methods. Results: On situation analysis it was found that the AWCs have limited infrastructure and equipment’s to carry o...
The article provides a comprehensive review of the current situation of micronutrient deficiencie... more The article provides a comprehensive review of the current situation of micronutrient deficiencies (MND) among children in India. It provides information of common MND with its prevalence and geographical distribution. The review includes a nationally representative survey, nutritional reports and studies conducted in the different regions of India. Iron deficiency anaemia, Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and iodine deficiency disorder are found to be the most prevalent MND among children. The prevalence of anaemia ranging from 21% to 59.2%, VAD reported as a maximum of 10.2% in one of the recent Indian studies while the total goitre rate of highest as 21.9%. With the implementation of various nutritional programs for children, these deficiencies are found to be significant mainly among pre-school children. The recommendation on strengthening existing nutritional health programmes with some new intervention strategies to improve the micronutrient status among children and to reduce the economic burden to MND in the coming years.
Background: Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is one among the best social indicators that identif... more Background: Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is one among the best social indicators that identifies social development and well-being. Various risk factors are seen contributing to its increase. Aim: The present correlational study aims to identify the spatial clustering of U5MR in different states and union territories (UTs) of India and determines its association with household characteristics. Patients and Methods: The present study incorporates primary data for 29 states and 2 UTs (Delhi and Chandigarh) of India from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (2015–2016) for secondary data analysis. The data include the outcome variable which was the U5MR and predictor variables such as households with electricity; improved source of drinking water; toilet facility; solid fuels being used for cooking; anyone smoking and living in a pucca house. Primary data were analysed using GeoDa software, employing Univariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association, Spearman's correlation coefficient, ordinary least square (OLS) and spatial error model (SEM). Results: The study showed significant spatial clustering of high U5MR in six states and one UT, namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi and clustering of lower U5MR in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Spearman's correlation showed a significant positive association of U5MR with households using solid fuel for cooking and negative association with households using electricity, with toilet facility and Living in a pucca house. The OLS and SEM spatial regression models model showed an association between households with toilet facility and in which anyone smokes at home with under-five mortality. Conclusions: U5MR shows a significant clustering geographically. This mortality indicator is influenced by the external environment such as household characteristics.
Context: The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of PHC as comprehensive primary health care... more Context: The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of PHC as comprehensive primary health care to the community and maintain an acceptable standard of quality of care. The study was conducted to assess the implementation of National Health Programmes at PHCs in Uttarakhand. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at two PHCs (Thano and Raiwala) from March 2019 to April 2019. Interviews of health functionaries and beneficiaries of national health programmes were done based on standard Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines and check list, for both PHCs. Beneficiaries under each programme were also observed. Result: Various programmes such as Universal Immunization Programme, School Health Programme, and Pulse Polio Programme, National nutrition Programme, National family welfare Programme, NPCDCS and Jansankhya Niyantran Yojna were implemented successfully at both PHCs. Although knowledge among peripheral health workers was found to be little in...
International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2020
Context: Immunization is one of the most important preventive health actions against the most chi... more Context: Immunization is one of the most important preventive health actions against the most childhood diseases. Advent of combination vaccines in immunization schedule such as Pentavalent Vaccine has given many benefits. Aim: To assess knowledge of mothers/ caregivers and health care workers regarding Pentavalent vaccine and side effects of vaccine. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Raipur Rani Block in Panchkula, Haryana. All four PHCs and one SC from each PHC of this block were selected. A total 80 mothers attending immunization clinics and 10 health workers (8 ANMs and 2 LHVs) from PHCs and SCs were enrolled in the study. Methods and Materials: Predesigned, pre-tested and semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information of mothers/caregivers of children and health workers regarding pentavalent vaccine. Statistical analysis used: Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 23 utilizing appropriate statistical methods. Results: In the present study 38.8% of mothers correctly knew about what vaccine was given to the baby on the day of immunization. Also 70% of mothers knew about side effects of the vaccine. 83.3% of health workers were aware of the diseases prevented by pentavalent vaccine. All of them had very good knowledge regarding VVM benefits, its uses and working. Conclusion: Present study indicates that lack of knowledge about the serious AEFI, inability to communicate with the clients and not adhering to open vial policy increases the chances of adverse events that can impact vaccination coverage.
BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a normal physiological process among reproductive age group females. ... more BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a normal physiological process among reproductive age group females. Although some of them show the abnormal menstrual pattern, which is influenced by several factors, including sociodemographic status, psychosocial stress, improper sleep level, etc. The identification of these risk factors associated with abnormal menstrual patterns may permit risk stratification among adolescent girls. This study was planned to determine various factors which depict menstrual cycle pattern among adolescent girls in urban India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A school-based case–control study was carried out in urban India from May to December 2019. Urban locality and schools were randomly selected, and data were collected in two phases. Adolescent girls in the age group of 10–19 years studying in government and private (both Hindi medium and English medium) schools of urban India were screened for the abnormal menstrual pattern. Equal numbers of age-matched controls were also enrolled. Data were collected with the help of self-administered predesigned pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, and McNemar tests were used to analyze data using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: A total of 100 cases and 100 age-matched controls (mean age 14.8 ± 1.5 years) were included in the study, almost half of the cases and controls have normative menarche. Improper sleep patterns increased stress levels, and low education status of mothers show statistically significant (P = 0.047) association with abnormal menstrual patterns. CONCLUSION: More stress, improper sleep levels, and low education status of mothers among school-going adolescent girls were strongly associated with abnormal menstrual patterns with more symptoms during menstruation.
Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the major health problems leading to materna... more Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one of the major health problems leading to maternal mortality. Globally, one woman dies every 7 min due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDOP). Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia contribute majority of maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in India. Methods: A systematic search was done through PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus for studies conducted on HDOP. All studies that met inclusion criteria published till January 2020 were included and analysed. The analysis was done using STATA 20.0 software (STATA Version 20.0 is sufficient). The pooled prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy was estimated using both mixed-effects and random-effects models. Results: A total of 18 studies with 92,220 study participants (pregnant women) were included in this review. The estimated overall pooled prevalence of HDOP in India was found to be 11% (95% confidence interval, 5%–17%). Most of the included studies were cross sectional and from the southern zone of India. Conclusions: The overall pooled estimate shows high prevalence, i.e., 1 out of 11 women suffers from pregnancy-induced hypertension. High prevalence of hypertension in the study population demands the attention of policymakers and healthcare professionals. Better implementation of early screening of hypertension during pregnancy should be undertaken.
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