Barpeta District Research Articles

Zero Tillage (ZT) Potato Cultivation

Background: Minimum input and Maximum output are the new emerging trends in agriculture. To cope up with the sharp rise in population and limiting farm land, as well as to increase farm income there is an immediate need to increase the present cropping intensity. Such can be achieved when the long duration rice fallows are proficiently brought under intensive cultivation. Zero tillage technology is done without land preparation after harvesting the paddy; hence the cost of cultivation is less than the normal potato cultivation which in turn helps the farmers to get a better income. Methods: In Sonitpur and Barpeta district of Assam, zero tillage survey was incorporated recently; Potato can be grown in those rice fallows successfully. The zero-tillage practice would allow crop intensification and aid to additional farm income without much soil and environmental degradation as compared to any traditional practices. It’s time that farmers are made aware of these conservation agricultural practices for the greater good. Result: ZT-practice can benefit the farmers by cutting down the cost on labour and other expensive farm practices along with minimizing the associated risks of environmental degradation.

Prevalence of Oral Precancerous Lesions in Tobacco and Areca Nut Habituated Patients in Barpeta District, Assam, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Oral cancer has become one of the leading causes of death and disease globally as well as in India. Tobacco consumption is responsible for nearly half of all cancers in men and nearly one-fourth of cancers in women in India and more than two-third of oral cancers are directly attributable to tobacco use. Early detection of precancerous lesions and tobacco cessation activities, if conducted together can have high impact on reducing incidence of oral cancer. Aim: To study prevalence of oral precancerous lesions in tobacco and areca nut habituated patients in Barpeta district, Assam, India. Materials and Methods: The present observational, crosssectional, hospital-based study was conducted on Outpatient Department (OPD) patients of Dentistry Department of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Government Medical College. College, Barpeta, Assam, India, from June 2021 to June 2022. Patients with tobacco and areca nut chewing habits were selected as study participants. Total number of study participants were 404. Oral cavity screening was done to detect oral precancerous lesion. History of tobacco and areca nut chewing habits were recorded in terms of gender, age, form of tobacco, duration and frequency. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Prevalence of oral precancerous lesions in tobacco consuming patients was 3.46% in smoke form and 9.9% in smokeless form. Premalignant lesions had been seen predominantly in male. Among the premalignant lesions prevalence of oral leukoplakia was highest (22.27%) followed by erythroplakia (4.46%). Overall, prevalence of precancerous lesions in tobacco and areca nut habituated patient in the present study was 37.62%. The association between prevalence of oral precancerous lesion with frequency and duration of habits was statistically insignificant (χ2 =7.167, p-value=1.000). Conclusion: In the present study, prevalence of oral precancerous lesion in tobacco and areca nut consuming patients in Barpeta district was quite high. The findings from this present study can be used to design cohort study to further understand the relation between precancerous lesions in tobacco and areca nut habituated patients.

A study on the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls of Nagaon, Barpeta District, Assam.

The onset of menstruation is an important event in a woman's lifecycle. It is associated with taboos and sociocultural restrictions. Faulty hygienic practices increase the risk of reproductive tract infections (RTI), leading to further complications if left untreated. With this background, the study was planned to assess adolescent school girls' knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene as well as their practices of menstrual hygiene. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nagaon, Barpeta district, Assam, among 170 adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years, using a convenient sampling technique. A predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information from the study participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17 and the results were expressed in percentages. The study reveals that 91.76% of the adolescents knew that menstruation was normal. About 27.65% of the study participants did not know the cause of menstruation, and 54.12% did not know about the source of menstrual bleeding. Only 33.53% knew that uterus is the source of bleeding. About 61.76% of the study participants knew about the duration of a normal menstrual period. Regarding practices, 74.12% of the adolescents use sanitary pads during menstruation, 18.82% use cloth, and 7.06% use both cloth and sanitary pads. In about 63.53%, the method of disposal of used absorbent was throwing with domestic waste. The current study has revealed that menstruation and menstrual hygiene knowledge is poor among adolescent girls and practices regarding menstrual hygiene are not optimal.

Nutritional assessment of children (6 year to 12 year) of migrants from Barpeta District, Assam Inhabiting Balu Adda Malin Basti, Lucknow

Nutritional assessment of children (6 year to 12 year) of migrants from Barpeta District, Assam Inhabiting Balu Adda Malin Basti, Lucknow

Distribution and frequency of principal Rh blood group antigens (D, C, c, E, and e) and their phenotypes in the blood donors attending blood bank in a tertiary care hospital in Barpeta district of Assam.

The ABO and Rhesus grouping system antigens have been found to have the highest immunogenicity and propensity to produce alloantibodies that cause most of the transfusion reactions. The Rhesus antigens that produce most of the immunogenic transfusion reactions are D, C, c, E, and e. Knowledge of the distribution of these Rh antigens in a population helps to render compatible blood in alloimmunized patients. The aim was to study the distribution and frequency of principal Rh blood group antigens (D, C, c, E, and e) and their phenotypes in the blood donors attending blood bank in a tertiary care hospital in Barpeta district of Assam. The study was conducted in 315 voluntary blood donors in the blood bank of a tertiary care center. Rh-D typing was done by conventional tube method. Specific monoclonal antisera, i.e., anti-C, anti-c, anti-E, and anti-e, were used and tests were performed by conventional tube method for detection of the presence of rest of the major Rh antigens. The samples were analyzed for the five major Rhesus antigens. "D" antigen was found to be the most common antigen (99.05%), followed by e (97.14%), C (92.38%), c (51.43%), and E (20.95%). In order of descending frequency, the most common phenotypes were DCCee - 45.71%, DCcee - 30.48%, DCcEe - 11.43%, DccEe - 4.76%, DCcEE - 1.90%, DCCEe - 1.90%, Dccee - 1.90%, DCCEE - 0.95%, and dccee - 0.95%. D antigen is the most common antigen in our study population, whereas "e" antigen is the most common in most of the studies done from other parts of India. Data on frequencies of major Rh antigens in the local donor population will help in transfusing alloimmunized patients with corresponding antibody-negative blood ensuring blood safety.

ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY THE PEOPLE OF SORBHOG (BARNAGAR) AREA OF BARPETA DISTRICT, ASSAM, INDIA FOR VARIOUS AILMENTS

The present study deals with the medicinal plants used by the people of 3 villages of Sorbhog area of Barpeta district, Assam to document the information related to various ethnomedicinal plants used by the villagers to cure various diseases. Intensive field work was carried out to obtain the detailed information on the plants and plant materials used by the villagers. In the present study a total of 33 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families were reported. These plants were used to cure various diseases like diabetes, jaundice, menstrual problems, stomach problems, infertility etc. The herbal medicines were prepared either from various parts of a single plant or multiple plants.

Consanguinity: A Form of Social Capital Among the Muslims of Char Areas in Barpeta District, Assam

Information on the dynamics of consanguinity is always important for public health strategy. It provides a direct roadmap for healthcare providers and health policymakers to make people aware of the consequences of consanguinity. The present study aims to investigate the attitude of the Muslim people practising consanguinity in the char (river island) areas of Barpeta district in Assam. It intends to seek a cultural explanation behind the practice of consanguinity. The study was conducted cross-sectionally among the Muslims living in different villages of the temporary, semi-permanent and permanent river islands of Barpeta district in Assam. A total of 556 married couples were included in the study. Of these, 103 couples are consanguineous and the rest 453 are non-consanguineous. To study the prevalence of congenital disorders, a sample of 153 males and 121 female inbred children of the consanguineous couples and 701 male and 571 female children of the non-consanguineous parents have been included in the study. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage in the chars was found to be 18.53% and the average coefficient of inbreeding was 0.05996796. Of the consanguineous marriages, the most favoured type was between the first cousins (63.11%), followed by half first-cousin marriages (12.62%). Altogether 14.60% of inbred were found to have some type of congenital disorder against 0.31% non-inbred. In the chars of Barpeta, it is not only ignorance but poor economic condition is also a reason behind the practise of consanguinity. Consanguineous marriage provides means of escaping the expenditure incurred in dowry or bridewealth payment. With seasonal floods, river erodes their village and crops completely every year. Family remains the sole source of stability and security. Consanguineous marriage therefore forms a sort of social capital as they are a source of secured and stable married life in the most hostile ecological settings where these people are living. Social security is of utmost priority behind these marriages in the char.

Food security through targeted public distribution system: myth or reality Insight from Barpeta district, Assam

This paper investigates the role of the public distribution system as an instrument to ensure food security in the marginal area of India like Barpeta district, Assam involving 'char' areas and nearby areas other than 'char'. The study used calorie gain and fiscal transfer methods to estimate the calorie gain and subsidy transfer through the public district system and its indirect benefits as a window for the poor to improve food security. Self-developed food security index is also used to identify the food security status of the study area. The robustness of the results was checked based on propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The study established that the public distribution system although ensures calorie and income gain but is less effective in ensuring food security and removing under-nourishment in the study area in its present structure.

Morbidity pattern among the adolescents attending the rural health training centre in Nagaon, Barpeta District, Assam

Background: WHO (World Health Organization) defines adolescence as the segment of life between the ages of 10 and 19 years. The health problems of adolescents are very different from those of younger children and adults. Adolescent’s problems constitute a bulk of morbidities, which are unrecognized and uncared iceberg of disease burden. Moreover, the complex psychosocial morbidities and high risk behaviour of adolescents have been recognized as a threat to survival, growth and development. The objective of this study was to study the morbidity pattern prevalent among adolescents who attended the rural health training centre in Nagaon, Barpeta district, Assam.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried among 140 adolescents aged between 10 to 19 years, who visited the rural health training centre during the study period using convenient sampling technique. Data collection was done by using a semi structured questionnaire. A detailed history was taken regarding present and past illness. General and systemic examination was done. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17 and the results expressed in percentages.Results: The most common morbidity was anaemia, seen in 69.29% adolescents (males-66.04% and females-71.26%), followed by upper respiratory tract infection 37.14% (males-44.51% and females-34.48%) and dental problems 28.57% (males-28.30% and females-28.74%).Conclusions: Anaemia is the most common morbidity seen among adolescents in the present study. Early detection of the morbidities through regular survey will help in the prompt treatment and prevention of serious complications.

A Study on Ethnobotanically Important Plant Species Used against Various Gastro-Intestinal (GI) Disorders by the Indigenous People of Barpeta District of Assam, North-East India

Plants and plant products have been used in traditional medication system to treat several human diseases since long back. The North-eastern region of India is a part of foot hills of Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hot spot and it was proved to be a home for a large number of ethnoboanically important plant species by several researchers. The present study was carried out during July, 2018 to June, 2019 for a period of one year at Barpeta district of Assam, North-East India to prepare a database on traditional knowledge of indigenous people regarding the uses of different plants to cure various Gastro-Intestinal (GI) disorders. The district is situated at a global position between 26°45′-26°50 N′ latitude and 90°30′-91°51′0″E longitude. Extensive field studies were conducted in the study area to obtain firsthand information on uses of ethnobotanically important plants. Sample specimens were collected and preserved during the study period. This report has documented 55 number of plant species belonging to 38 families used by the local people and especially by the traditional drug practitioners of the study area against various GI anomalies. In spite of the availability and accessibility of the modern system of medication, most of the people of the study area still depend on herbal medication system provided by traditional drug practitioners to treat a range of GI anomalies. This documentation will help to harness this traditional knowledge and to preserve this knowledge for the betterment of future mankind.

Impact of cluster front line demonstration on oilseed crop in Barpeta district of Assam

The main objective of cluster front line demonstrations (CFLDs) is to demonstrate newly released crop production and protection technologies and its management practices at the farmer’s field in cluster approach under different agro-climatic regions and farming situations. Pointing the importance of cluster frontline demonstrations in transfer of oilseed production technologies, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta conducted CFLDs at farmers’ field and accordingly study was conducted in Barpeta district of Assam. The study revealed that important package of practices where more increase in adoption was found were use of high yielding variety of rapeseed Var-TS-38 (72.5%), seed treatment (67.5%), use of proper seed rate (65.0%), recommended fertilizer dose (57.5%), line sowing on furrows (40.0%), weed management (27.5%) and sowing time (30.0%). There was noteworthy difference observed in yield of oilseed before conductance of CFLD and after CFLD programme. B:C ratio of oilseed crop after CFLD was higher than before CFLD. It showed impact of CFLD on adoption of oilseed production technologies. The factors responsible for low B:C ratio before CFLD was less adoption of all the recommended package of practices for oilseed crop in the region.

EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN THROUGH MGNREGA-A STUDY OF MGNREGA IMPLEMENTATION IN BARPETA DEVELOPMENT BLOCK OF BARPETA DISTRICT OF ASSAM

Gender is the inevitable push factor for growth and development of a nation like India. Though women have been contributing to eco-nomic productivity since the dawn of human history, their role has been visualised as a passive one. Moreover it is observed that women are often experienced the situation of extreme poverty which are further aggravated by household and social discrimination. Women empowerment specially economic empowerment is the only way by which it can be possible to give equal status to women in a male dominated society. To be empowered, women should come forward and realise that they are not second grade citizen of the socie-ty and at the same time also equally capable with men in all aspects of livelihood. Their empowerment has a great potential in leading the country to spectacular development. The achievement of inclusive growth and overall development is highly dependent on the gender equality and prosperity of women in the rural society. The eleventh five year plan marks a significant departure from the con-ventional way of looking at women in plan document. It tries to mark the centrality of women in all sectors. It explicitly recognises that women are not just equal citizens but agents of economic and social growth. A major initiative taken by the Government of India to raise the level of socio-economic status of the rural people under the Ministry of Rural Development is the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The implementation of MGNREGA has been positively affecting the rural life as well as empowering the women of India in various aspects. This paper will mainly focus on the impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Em-ployment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on the empowerment of women in the five gaon panchayats of Barpeta Development Block of Barpeta district of Assam. It also focus on the prospects and problems of women empowerment through MGNREGA and will try to provide some recommendations to overcome the shortcomings.

Public distribution system and food security: evidence from Barpeta district, Assam

ABSTRACT This article investigates the role of the public distribution system (PDS) in ensuring food security in marginal areas of India such as Barpeta district in Assam, with special references to the char and non-char areas. The study used Dietary Diversity Score, Food Consumption Score and a self-developed Food Security Index to identify the food security status of the area. The role of PDS was investigated using propensity score matching. The study established that the PDS ensures food security in terms of all the indicators, and makes PDS beneficiaries more food-secure than non-participants even for char areas. Therefore, PDS can be an important instrument to ensure food security in a marginalised area.

Food security through Targeted Public Distribution System: myth or reality Insight from Barpeta district, Assam

This paper investigates the role of the public distribution system as an instrument to ensure food security in the marginal area of India like Barpeta district, Assam involving 'char' areas and nearby areas other than 'char'. The study used calorie gain and fiscal transfer methods to estimate the calorie gain and subsidy transfer through the public district system and its indirect benefits as a window for the poor to improve food security. Self-developed food security index is also used to identify the food security status of the study area. The robustness of the results was checked based on propensity score matching (PSM) technique. The study established that the public distribution system although ensures calorie and income gain but is less effective in ensuring food security and removing under-nourishment in the study area in its present structure.

Is the Traditional Handloom Industry in Assam in Trouble? Evidence from the Weavers in Barpeta District

The handloom industry, one of the largest traditional unorganised economic activities after agriculture, occupies an integral part of the rural livelihood. Growth and sustainability of this industry is based on the transfer of skill from one generation to the next as well as their ability to adapt to market requirements. As per the Third Handloom Census of India (2009-2010), about 2.38 million handloom units provided employment to 4.33 million persons of which, 3.63 million workers are in rural areas and .698 million workers in urban areas, respectively. In Assam, by providing livelihood to millions of weavers and craftsmen in rural areas, a vital role has been being played by this industry in the economic development of the rural masses. However, over the last couple of years, it has been noticed that the situation has changed and this age-old tradition of handloom weaving as an activity is in deep crisis. Considering such a critical juncture faced by both the industry and the weavers alike, this paper aims at exploring the present situation of the handloom industry in Assam. An attempt of in-depth primary study of 200 weavers in Barpeta district has been performed and descriptive statistics has been used to analyse the primary data. Results show that the continuation of this tradition in future is under question in the district. A very less percentage of weavers’ children are interested in continuing their hereditary occupation of weaving in future.

Phytomedicines for female infertility in Barpeta District of Assam, India

Phytomedicines for female infertility in Barpeta District of Assam, India

Levels of childhood nutritional status among the Muslims of char areas in Barpeta district, Assam

Background: The chars depend mostly on the whims of the current of river. The location, delicate ecological conditions and the political situation arising out of the ill- defined problem of immigration have collectively made the chars of Barpeta a challenging place to live. The worst sufferers are the children before entering adolescence period. This study aims to assess the level of nutritional status among the pre-adolescent children.Methods: 466 children (250 boys and 216 girls) from age 3 to10 years were measured cross-sectionally for their height and weight. Sample was collected from Chasra No. 2 char which fall under Baghbor revenue circle of the district. Using Z-score value, the underweight, wasting and stunting status was evaluated.Results: It has been detected that 39.2% boys and 18.98% girls are underweight. The percentage of stunted among them is 16% for the boys and 12.96% for the girls. With the increase of age the prevalence of stunting has decreased. BMI-for -age has detected 24% boys and 24.53% girls to be affected. When the children of the present study were compared with other populations, they were below the tribal children but above other children in their nutritional status.Conclusions: The prevalence of stunting is lesser than underweight percentage, reflecting their current nutritional status to be more affected than the long term exposure to undernutrition. The prevalence of underweight and stunting is higher among the boys than the girls. Further analytic studies are required to identify the underlying causes of their status.

Physico-chemical characteristics and hydrogeological mechanisms in groundwater with special reference to arsenic contamination in Barpeta District, Assam (India).

Deterioration in the groundwater quality is prevalent in many parts of the eastern and north-eastern India; however, little attention has been paid for its assessment. In order to evaluate the groundwater suitability in the north-eastern region of India, this study was carried out in Barpeta District of Assam. The groundwater samples were collected from various locations to represent the overall water quality of the district. Suitability was assessed in terms of its usability for drinking and irrigation. It was found that the groundwater samples are contaminated with high amount of arsenic, which refers that water is unfit for consumption as well as agricultural activities. Hydrogeological studies revealed that regional geological factors might be responsible for excess arsenic concentration in the region. Overall, groundwater quality was found to be alkaline having moderate hardness with high amount of iron, manganese, and lead as well.

A Brief Study of Female Healthcare Preparations Used by the Koch- Rajbanshi Tribals of Barpeta District of Assam

Barpeta district of Assam is rich in phytodiversity and the rural folk of the district are efficient practitioner of their traditional knowledge system, especially in connection with the use of phytomedicines. The present paper deals with the ethno-medicinal knowledge of Koch-Rajbanshi tribal people living in small settlements in the district of Barpeta with special reference to Female healthcare. This tribal group is among the ones with smallest population in Barpeta. Out of the 25 species belonging to 18 families documented here mostly are well known and used extensively by other tribes also.

Surveillance of maternal deaths in Barpeta district of Assam

Assam has the highest maternal mortality in India. It is difficult to make a precise estimate of maternal mortality because the available information from various surveys has a wide confidence interval. Biomedical causes of maternal mortality are known, but there is little information on determinants of sociocultural and health system aspects. Delays at various levels such as at home (first level), during transportation (second level) and at hospital (third level) operate in a maternal death. Information on these determinants will give a better understanding of the circumstances of death. We aimed to estimate the maternal mortality ratio of Barpeta district in Assam and to understand the sociocultural factors and delays at various levels, which contribute to maternal death. We did a community-based, cross-sectional study. During the surveillance period of 1 year, all maternal deaths occurring in the district were identified from multiple sources and informants. These included all deaths occurring in the health facility or in the community. In 50% of such deaths, social autopsy was conducted. The data were analysed manually for descriptive statistics and thematic areas. The maternal mortality ratio of the district is 225 per 100 000 live-births. About 95% of respondents availed antenatal services and 57% delivered in hospital. The routine maternal death surveillance system is sensitive and detected 94% of maternal deaths. However, community-based verbal autopsy is yet to be functional. Most maternal deaths occur among women from low socioeconomic conditions. Delay at the first level occurred in 10 maternal deaths, at the second level in 18 maternal deaths and at the third level in 8 maternal deaths. Health-seeking behaviour is favourable and 90% of mothers sought services. Improved and functioning infrastructure will ensure better transportation facilities and early referral to a secondary- or tertiary-level health facility, which can prevent many maternal deaths.