PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF UNDER NUTRITION AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN A RURAL COMMUNITY

Children of today are citizens of tomorrow; the young child under 5 years is most vulnerable to the vicious cycles of malnutrition, infection and disability all of which influence the present condition of a child and the future human resource development of the nation as a whole. Hence the assessment of the ground reality as reflected by the statistics on nutritional status of children becomes very significant in this context.

The study was done to determine the prevalence of under-5 under nutrition and to identify the major child factors contributing to the development of under nutrition among the under 5 children.

This was a cross sectional study conducted in the rural community of Nitte, a field practice area of Department of Community medicine, K S Hegde Medical Academy among all the children of the anganwadis under ICDS scheme. A total of 133 under 5 children were assessed for their nutritional status and the factors that affect nutritional status.

The overall prevalence of under-5 under nutrition was found to be high at 63.16%. More girls were undernourished compared to boys, lower grades of undernourishment were more common and the prevalence of under nutrition increased with increasing age. There was a higher prevalence of underweight in children born with low birth weight, born premature, those children not exclusively breast fed and on improper complementary feeds. Immunization and Vitamin A supplementation of the under-5 children status was highly satisfactory.

A Cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and its household awareness in the rural field practice areas of a medical college in Mangalore - A Pilot Study

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a major clinical and public health problem accounting for 4.6 million deaths annually world-wide. According to the recent World Health Organization report (WHO), India today leads the world with over 32 million diabetic patients and this number is projected to increase to 79.4 million by the year 2030(2). The recent surveys indicate that Diabetes now affects a large part of the population i.e. 10-16% of urban and 5-8% of rural population in India(1).

Objectives: This study aims at estimating the prevalence of diabetes, the household awareness, the pattern and regularity of health seeking behaviour among the households for diabetes.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted among 40 households of Kuttar and Manjanady village of semi urban Mangalore. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire after pre-testing. Questions on awareness were prioritised, scored and then analysed. Likert scale was used to grade the awareness score.

Results: Community prevalence of diabetes was found to be 7.7%. Out of the total population 8.8% of males and 6.8% of females were diabetics. Among the diabetics male and female distribution was equal i.e. 50%. Among the 7.7% of diabetics 50% of the subjects also had Hypertension. Awareness was average among 35% of the subjects. About 27.5% had poor score and 37.5% had very poor score for the awareness.

Conclusions: Community prevalence was low. Lifestyle modification was not present among Diabetics. Awareness was poor among the households.

A Study on Awareness, Attitude and Myths Regarding Swine Flu Pandemic in Rural Communities of Coastal Karnataka: A Cross- Sectional Study

Introduction: Swine flu being a dreadful disease, without an ounce of doubt, has caused a major fear among the common people of India across various strata of the society. In global terms, India was one of the most affected countries in terms of magnitude of cases and deaths of swine flu (influenza A H1N1) during the 2009 influenza pandemic which caused a lot of public hype and panic.

Objectives: To study the awareness, attitude and myths regarding swine flu pandemic in a rural community of coastal Karnataka

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in rural field practice area of the department of community medicine of K.S Hegde Medical Academy during the year 2015, using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, consisting of details on socio-demographic factors, awareness and attitude about swine flu.

Results: A total of 365 subjects were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. 67.3 % of the subjects were aware about swine flu, tele-media being the major source of information. Among those who were aware about swine flu, 35.3% of subjects knew about the preventive measures.

Conclusion: There is a need to build strategies to create more awareness about swine flu pandemic through effective mass media which is vital for containing the pandemic.

Attitudes and perceptions towards research among final year medical students in a private medical college of coastal Karnataka: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Research experience gained by medical students during their under graduate tenure plays a significant role in their future endeavours in the field of medical research. The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted to know the attitudes and perceptions towards research among final year medical students in a private medical college.

Methods: A total of 220 students participated in the study.

Results: The majority of the students agreed that research is important in the medical field (88.6%, 195/220). The majority also believed that research methodology to be part of medical curriculum (72.7%, 160/220). 31.8% (70/220) felt that Research methodology will be helpful to enter competitive exams (USMLE, PLAB). The barriers for conducting research as believed by students were: Lack of interest (32.7%, 72/220), Lack of time (31.4%, 135/220), Inadequate knowledge about research methodology (51.4%, 113/230), Lack of guidance by faculties (27.7%, 61/220), Lack of research curriculum (34.1%, 75/230) Inadequate facilities for research (35.5%, 78/220), Inadequate financial support (30.9%, 68/220) and others 2.9% (6/220). Of the participating students, 23.2% (51/220) participated in research during medical school, while 76.8% (179/220) did not.

Conclusion: Medical colleges should emphasize more on research among the undergraduate students. There is a need to reform the medical curriculum with more weightage towards research methodology.

Validation of Standard of Living Scale with Comparison to Other Socio-Economic Scales in a Semi Urban Area of Mangalore : A Pilot Study

Introduction: Socioeconomic status is an important determinant of health condition of an individual or a family. Many tools are being used to assess the socioeconomic status. Each of the scales have their own advantages and disadvantages. But an appropriate and a standardized tool is yet to be developed

Objectives: To compare the standard of living based on different socioeconomic scales in a semiurban area of Mangalore and to assess the appropriateness of socioeconomic scales to be used in a semiurban area of Mangalore

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in households of Kuthar and Manjanady villages of Dakshina Kannada district from June- August 2014. Questionnaire method was used to avail information about the socioeconomic status of the study population. The data was analysed using SPSS 16 software.

Results: Majority (70%) of the study population belonged to class IV of kuppuswamy scale. Whereas according to Modified BG Prasad scale majority of the population belonged to class III (35%) and class II (28%). According to Pareek's scale around 92% of population belonged to class IV. But when standard of living was assessed majority of them (62%) had high standard of Living.

Conclusions: We found that Standard of living is the better option in assessing the socio-economic status of a household as compared to all other scales whether be it urban, rural or semi urban.

A cross sectional study on community prevalence and treatment practice of hypertension with household awareness about it in semi urban Mangalore - A pilot study

Introduction: Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a global public health issue and is the major contributory factor for the burden of heart disease, stroke, renal failure, premature mortality and morbidity worldwide.

Objective : 1. To determine the community prevalence of hypertension.

2. To Assess the Household Awareness Of hypertension.

3. To study the pattern and regularity of treatment in hypertensives.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out in 40 Households of Grama-Kshema Project in Kuthar and Manjanady villages (semi urban ) which belong to the field practice area of K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore. A structured Questionnaire was used to collect data. Questions on awareness were scored and analyzed.

Result: The community prevalence of hypertension among the households surveyed was 9.6 percent out of which 12.5 % were female and 5.9 % were male. Among them 46.7% were in the age group 51-70 years, 40% in the age group 31-50 years and 13.3% in the age group above 70 years.40 % of hypertensive visit their doctor on monthly basis.66.7% of the hypertensives visit private dispensary for their treatment and follow up. 93.3% are on anti-hypertensives of which 33.3 % use calcium channel blockers. Awareness scoring showed that 40% had poor score and 37.5 % average score.

Conclusion: In the present study the prevalence of hypertension was found to be low. Among those diagnosed of hypertension, majority of them were females. Most of the hypertensive's visit private dispensaries on monthly basis. Awareness of Hypertension among the households was poor.

Cross Sectional study to asses housing conditions and to compare it with education and socio economic status of a semi urban area in Mangalore : A Pilot study

Introduction: Poverty imposes an oppressive weight on India, especially in the rural areas where almost three out of four Indians and 77 percent of the Indian are under poor living conditions. Although poverty has been reduced during the past four decades, it remains painfully high. Provision of adequate housing and amenities are major challenges for human development, particularly among lowincome urban households in developing countries. Often this shortfall is evident from the proliferation of slums and squatters.

Objectives: 1. To assess the housing conditions of the semi urban area (Field practice area of KS Hegde Medical Academy).

2. To associate these housing conditions with Education and Socio Economic Status.

Methodology: Forty houses included under GRAMA KSHEMA project (Field practice area of K S Hegde Medical Academy) were selected. A pilot study with questionnaire to asses housing condition was done. Subjects were interviewed for their education and socioeconomic status.

Results: 100% of Graduates, post graduates and Professionals have excellent housing conditions. Poor housing conditions was seen as the level of education decreased to high school and post high school. Housing conditions were excellent as the socioeconomic class increased. 66.6% of Class I population has excellent housing conditions. 63% of Class II population has good housing conditions and 38.5% of Class IV population has poor housing conditions.

Conclusions: It was found that majority of the population had good housing conditions. Education and Socio economic status has an impact on Housing condition.

KAP study of solid waste disposal of households in Kuttar & Manjanadi Panchayath covered under gramaskhema programme of K.S. Hegde Medical Academy

An important problem faced by many societies across the world is unhealthy disposal of solid wastes. Knowledge, attitude, practices of people plays a crucial role as their view point is extremely vital in providing solutions to future environmental problems. A cross sectional study was conducted among the households of Kuttar and Manjanadi villages and a sample of 120 households were studied. Majority had a good knowledge about the ill effects of improper solid waste disposal and that 82.5% said collectively that it causes disease, unpleasant odour, unpleasant site and rodent nuisance. Majority of them had a positive attitude towards solid waste disposal and 98.3% felt that improper solid waste removal and disposal effects environment. Regarding household waste disposal practice it was found to be unsatisfactory as 78 households disposed of household wastes by just throwing away outside the house. Strict surveillance, supervision and timely removal for disposal of solid waste by management are the key factors in reducing environmental hazards.

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION CONSUMPTION AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN THE SEMI-URBAN FIELD PRACTICE AREA OF K.S. HEGDE MEDICAL ACADEMY, MANGALORE: A PILOT STUDY

Introduction: Food security is defined as “Access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life”. The deprivation of basic need represented by food insecurity and hunger are possible precursors to nutritional, health, and developmental problems

Objectives: To assess the food security and the pattern of nutrient intake among the households of field practice areas and to describe the relationship between food security with various socio demographic factors and select diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in households of Kuthar and Manjanady villages of Dakshina Kannada district from June- August 2014. The Food Security Core-Module Questionnaire in the Guide to Measuring Household Food Security (Revised 2000) prepared by United States Department of Agriculture was used in this study. The questionnaire was translated to local languages (Kannada and Malayalam) and linguistic validation was done. The data was analysed using SPSS software.

Results: Around 53% of the houses studies were food secure followed by households with food insecurity with no hunger. Majority of the houses had carbohydrate and protein as their predominant nutrient intake. Majority of the households spending 26-50% of the total income on food were food secure. Among the food secure households, diabetes was present in nearly half the houses

Conclusions: The study area does not have hunger as a problem but still food insecurity exists, with upto 50% of income spent on food.

Proportion of depression among the elderly population in a rural health care setting

INTRODUCTION

Depression among elderly has serious public health implications. Integration of mental health into primary care may help in reaching the elderly population better and in identifying depression among them.

OBJECTIVES

This study was done to determine the proportion and the correlates of depression among the elderly population which attended the rural psychiatry services and to compare the proportion with that of the middle aged population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The outpatient data of the past one year in the rural psychiatry centre was analysed. Correlates of depression among the elderly were studied by Chi square test and the proportion in elderly was compared with that of the middle aged population using Z-test.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Depression among the elderly attendees was significantly higher than that in the middle aged group. Depression was more common among the young old and females and co-morbidities were more commonly seen in males and the young old compared to those who were aged 80 years and above.

KNOWLEDGE REGARDING RCH SERVICES AMONG HEALTH WORKERS, PREGNANT MOTHERS AND ADOLESCENTS IN RURAL FIELD PRACTICE AREA

Maternal mortality and morbidity are significant health problems in developing countries. Improving maternal health has been an essential element for achieving health for all and has been included in MDG to be achieved by 2010. Apart from mothers and children, the health of adolescents came into light as one of the important area mainly because of their role as future or immediate mothers. Role of health care providers especially the grass root level workers becomes particularly important not just in imparting the intending services, but also in imparting knowledge about reproductive health.

To assess the knowledge about RCH services among the health care workers, pregnant women, mothers and adolescent girls.

A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice areas of K. S. Hegde Medical Academy. A total of 37 health workers, 50 pregnant women and mothers and 56 adolescents were interviewed using a pre tested questionnaire for assessing their knowledge regarding RCH services. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis.

Knowledge regarding high risk pregnancy identification, normal birth weight and identifying anaemia in the field was good among health workers. Only 10.8% of them knew the minimum strength of medical officers in a FRU and only 5.4% knew about fast breathing in less than 2 months old infant. With regard to mothers knowledge 64% were aware of the number of ANC visits, 44% knew about correct interval between 2 pregnancies, 38% knew about methods to prevent STI transmission. 82% of adolescents had good knowledge regarding legal age for marriage. 75% were aware of various methods of contraception.