Community Medicine Research Articles

Mitigating public hygiene anxiety in waste material applications: Development of an antibacterial and high performance triboelectric nanogenerator from recycled PET

The development of triboelectric nanogenerators using waste materials (WM-TENGs) has gained significant attention for advancing a low-carbon economy and enhancing renewable energy utilization. However, consumer concerns about hygiene and safety hinder their acceptance in human-related applications, particularly due to fears of residual bacteria on reused materials from previous users and the potential for new bacterial growth from new users. To address these concerns, we developed an antibacterial and high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator from waste PET materials (AW-TENG). By incorporating small antibacterial polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) molecules into the PET molecular chains, the resultant material, PET-PHMG, not only retains the excellent antibacterial properties of PHMG but also exhibits significantly enhanced triboelectric properties. The PET-PHMG nanofiber based AW-TENG achieved a maximum output voltage and current of 120.2V and 2.9 μA, while demonstrating effective antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The corresponding charge density of 22.1nC/cm² stands out as one of the highest among WM-TENGs. Given these attractive characteristics, the AW-TENG is well-suited for applications such as self-powered pressure sensors and fire alarm systems. This study highlights the advanced utilization of discarded PET-derived antibacterial material in TENG technology, which can effectively foster public confidence in the use of wasted materials.

Repair work in raced welfare capitalism: community health workers in the United States

ABSTRACT In modern capitalism, the costs of care and social reproduction are widely externalised to women in households, but also to (women in) community organisations. This article analyses the role of community medicine in the US, and in particular the labour and struggles of community health workers (CHWs). Highlighting the gendered and raced inequalities of US welfare capitalism, I explore how CHWs sustain individuals and communities through three main forms of repair work: Safety net plugging is the often-invisible work of addressing unmet community needs; bridging is the work of intermediating between (punitive) state authorities and oppressed communities; and transforming lived experience is the devalued personal work of turning discrimination into care. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork in the US with a focus on California, my findings stress the laboriousness of caring in a punitive welfare state, and the devaluation of doing so in a ‘meritocratic', credentials-centred social order. I argue that CHWs' repair work might be a cost effective ‘fix’ for the health system, but that their struggle for professional recognition also challenges ingrained, racialised concepts of merit and professionalism. Their struggles connect with broader debates about reparative justice, repair, and labour value in our current socio-ecological crises.

Community owned green gym of a village in Maharashtra, India: a case study of community empowerment

Community empowerment is the ultimate goal of any community engagement activity in public health. This article is about the experiments done and efforts taken by different stakeholders and organizations for making villagers prioritize their health problems, find probable solutions and mobilize them for their own health needs. This includes the Community Owned Clinic (Kiran Clinic) of the village, “Village Adoption Scheme” of the medical institute, Vitalizing Communities against Non-communicable diseases (V-CaN) project of the Department of Community Medicine of the Institute, etc. Various other factors like consistent community work by the social workers of the department for the health and wellbeing of the villagers, trust-based relationship with the medical institute, active participation of the Gram Panchayat of the village in central India and other village organizations like SHGs, sports club and enthusiasm of the villagers, etc. were the driving forces for the community participation. This case study is a good example of the process of community participation where the community takes part in decision making, while it also serves as a good example of engaging future doctors with the community to promote values and skills like empathy, communication, team work, etc. within them.

The incentivized drug information services among community pharmacists: a multi-centre cross-sectional study in Indonesia.

Community pharmacists should provide qualified drug information services for the rational use of medicine in community. However, there is no standard professional incentive for the service in Indonesia. This study aimed to assess drug information services with incentives and its associated factors among community pharmacists in Indonesia. A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Medan City, Bandung City, Bandung Regency, and Makassar City. A validated online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on pharmacists' demographics, pharmacy characteristics, and drug information provision practices. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with incentivized drug information services. A total of 639 community pharmacists participated, with representation from Medan (21.9%), Bandung City (20.8%), Bandung Regency (26%), and Makassar (31.3%). Most respondents were female (79%) with a median age of 31 years (IQR: 9). Only 12% of pharmacists reported receiving incentives for providing drug information services. Factors significantly associated with receiving incentives included being male (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16-3.58), aged 20-30 years (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.10-9.58), working over 40 hours per week (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.16-4.58), working in a chain pharmacy (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.18-3.67), and having an onsite physician practice (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.85). Limited number of community pharmacists received an incentive for drug information services. The development of a remuneration system for drug information services can be considered to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical care services in the community setting.

Anaemia in Relation to Body Mass Index among First Year Female Nursing Students of Government Nursing College, Civil Hospital Ahmedabad

Background: Adolescents especially girls are most vulnerable toward the problem of anaemia. In this age groups, anaemia can result in impaired immune function and cause higher vulnerability to infections, reduction of physical resistance and tolerance to efforts, as well as damage to growth and intellectual capacity, hence difficulty to concentrate and memorize, which can lead to negative result in the learning development and performance. The association between anaemia and body mass index (BMI) is a measure of nutrition and health status of adults. Therefore, studying the haemoglobin level and its relationship to BMI highlights the importance of this study. Objectives: 1.This study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia in first year nursing female students of civil campus Ahmedabad. 2. To find Association between Body mass index with anaemia among study group. Material and methods: This study was conducted among first year female nursing students (n=154) aged 18-20 years at public health lab of community medicine department of B.J medical college. haemoglobin level (g/dl) by sahli’s hemoglobinometer and BMI (kg/m2) were estimated. Anaemia was defined as Hb content <12 g/dl. Subjects were classified by BMI categories as underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/ m2) Normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.99 kg/m2), overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) according to WHO. Then the relation between anaemia and BMI were statistically analysed. Semi structured Questionnaire was used for data collection. Result: Overall, 37.02% female students were anaemic. Of which 38.59% were underweight, 54.38% normal weight and 7.01% were above normal weight (over weight and obese). Mean value of haemoglobin was significantly decreased in underweight compared to overweight and obese (p<0.04) but Anaemia was not significantly associated with BMI. (x2 =0.3444, p=0.8418). Conclusion: The study concludes the occurrence of anaemia in undernourished individuals which were not significantly associated. Further studies are needed with larger sample size to document the factor that may be associated with anaemia in females.

Cohort profile: the BangladEsh Longitudinal Investigation of Emerging Vascular and nonvascular Events (BELIEVE) cohort study

PurposeBangladesh has experienced a rapid epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in recent decades. There is, however, limited evidence about multidimensional determinants of NCDs in this population. The...

New Pathogens in Blood Donors and Patients in Albania

Introduction: The emergence of novel pathogens poses a significant and immediate threat to global blood safety, particularly in regions experiencing epidemiological shifts. This study urgently examines the prevalence and impact of newly identified pathogens among blood donors and recipients in Albania, focusing on assessing their implications for public health and transfusion medicine. Results revealed a prevalence of new pathogens among donors and patients, highlighting the potential risk of transmission through blood transfusion. Travel history, socioeconomic status, and urban-rural disparities significantly influenced pathogen prevalence. This study underscores the urgent need for enhanced screening protocols and public health interventions to mitigate the risks associated with emerging pathogens. Our findings contribute to a growing body of evidence emphasizing the crucial role of continuous surveillance and adaptive strategies in transfusion medicine to ensure blood safety and protect vulnerable populations in Albania and beyond. Conclusion: The study highlights the presence of emerging pathogens in blood donors and patients in Albania, underscoring their potential to significantly impact blood safety and public health. The findings emphasize the necessity for improved screening protocols, continuous epidemiological surveillance, and targeted public health interventions to address the risks associated with these pathogens. Adopting adaptive strategies in transfusion medicine is critical to safeguarding the health of donors and recipients in the region.

Multidimensional vulnerability and financial risk protection in health in contexts of protracted conflict: Evidence from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

This paper proposes a multidimensional vulnerability index for a setting of protracted conflict, which is applied to study the relationship between financial vulnerability and catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) incidence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2018. We find that our index better captures the extent of financial risk protection in health compared to conventional measures of financial welfare. Results indicate that the most vulnerable groups experience a significantly higher likelihood of incurring CHE, and this likelihood is increased for those living in the West Bank compared to the Gaza Strip. We also find a lack of protection from existing health insurance types against the risk of CHE. Our analysis provides valuable insights about key aspects, such as health financing and insurance bottlenecks, that will deserve careful policy attention in efforts to rebuild the Palestinian health system, following the Israel-Hamas war.

Is Objective Structured Practical Examination a Better Option than Conventional Practical Examination in Assessing Students’ Competency? An Analytical Research

Background: There was always a need for some innovative assessment method like an objective structured practical examination (OSPE) which is objective, reliable, and valid over conventional practical examinations (CPEs), which lack objectivity and reliability and carries risk of teachers’ bias as learning is assessment-driven. The aim of this study was to find out the effectiveness of OSPE over CPE among seventh-semester medical students and to assess the objectivity of structured questions among different OSPE stations. Materials and Methods: A total of 207 students appeared in the seventh-semester examination in community medicine, and they were divided into three groups depending on their total marks. Each student had to face both OSPE stations and conventional viva voce tables and their scores were recorded. A paired T-test was done to assess differences in mean marks between OSPE and CPE. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done to compare the OSPE station-wise mean among different series of examinations. Results: The high-scorer students secured significantly higher mean marks of 30.30 ± 3.94 in OSPE than in CPE (26.93 ± 3.85). The mean marks obtained by high-scorer students showed no significant difference except in one station. Among the low-scorer group, statistically significant differences in mean marks were found among various stations. Conclusions: OSPE is an effective tool of assessment than CPE. Still, meticulous care is to be taken in designing respective OSPEs, and proper training of assessors is also needed, to avoid biases.

Primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention through life cycles in women. Consensus document of the SEC-WG CVD in Women, SEC-ACP, SEGO, AEEM, SEEN, semFYC, SEMERGEN, AEP, and AEM.

This consensus document on cardiovascular disease in women summarizes the views of a panel of experts organized by the Working Group on Women and Cardiovascular Disease of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC-WG CVD in Women), and the Association of Preventive Cardiology of the SEC (SEC-ACP). The document was developed in collaboration with experts from various Spanish societies and associations: the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO), the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN), the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause (AEEM), the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), and the Association of Spanish Midwives (AEM). The document received formal approval from the SEC. This consensus serves as a guide for the clinical community on the diagnostic approach and management of cardiovascular health during the stages or life cycles of women: adolescence, the menopausal transition, postpartum disorders, and other gynecologic conditions. It is based on current evidence and best available practices.

Primary care in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Lessons from Ontario.

To understand the role of primary care in the COVID-19 pandemic to provide insight into its functioning and inform potential reforms. The now dissolved Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (Science Table) was formed in July 2020 to provide decision makers and the public with a synthesis of rapidly evolving evidence related to COVID-19. The Science Table was based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and supported by Public Health Ontario. Authors worked with the leadership and secretariat of the Science Table to synthesize evidence and inputs. Authors drew on their expertise in research, policy, and front-line care delivery and coupled this with data analysis and reviews of the literature relevant to the topic areas discussed. Data analysis and literature reviews were done with the support of the Ontario Medical Association, the INSPIRE-Primary Health Care research program, and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Experts conducted a rapid review of the briefs prior to publication, and authors presented the briefs' content at a series of meetings attended by Science Table members for their input. As Science Table briefs were intended to provide rapid-response answers to important health system questions in real time, the intent was not to conduct a systematic review but rather to gather available relevant evidence and present it in a form that could be used by policy-makers. This summary describes the work of primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario up to September 2022; outlines current challenges in primary care capacity and structure; and makes recommendations for strengthening the sector to better address population needs for current and future public health priorities. While the focus is on Ontario, many of the findings are relevant to other jurisdictions in Canada and elsewhere. Universal formal attachment to an accountable interprofessional primary care team supported by adequate infrastructure should be the cornerstone of pandemic recovery planning.

Effect of “Helping Babies Breathe” Training on Ethiopian Undergraduate Midwifery Students’ Knowledge and Skills in Neonatal Resuscitation at Public Universities: A Non-Randomized Quasi-Experimental Study

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is a global initiative launched by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2010, aimed at reducing neonatal mortality by addressing birth asphyxia, a leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide. The HBB training program trains providers in effectively resuscitating infants in developing countries, including Ethiopia. This study aims to examine the effects of HBB training on the knowledge and performance of undergraduate fourth-year midwifery students in neonatal resuscitation in public Ethiopian higher education institutions. The current study used a quasi-experimental study design. The study made use of the same research participants before and after the HBB Training. Pre- and post-knowledge tests, Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and a checklist for bag and mask ventilation skills checklist were used to assess the effectiveness of the HBB training. The data generated from pre and post-test results were imported into EPi Data version 4.0.2.49 and exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. The data was correlated in nature due to its inherent source. After testing the assumptions, a paired t-test was used to examine the effect of HBB simulation training on the knowledge level of fourth-year midwifery students. The difference in the pre and post-training knowledge level of the students was declared as statistically significant at a p-value of .05. A total of 60 research participants from two public health science colleges that offer undergraduate midwifery training enrolled in this study; 54 of them received 2 days of HBB training in two phases and completed the pre- and immediate post-test course assessments. Six participants left the study for personal reasons. Of the participants in the study, 43 were female and 11 were male. The study participants were between the ages of 21 and 25, with a mean age of 22.47 years. The results demonstrated that, although before the intervention, over 25% of research participants (18; 29.63%) lacked adequate knowledge about managing birth asphyxia, all of them acquired adequate knowledge[≥80%] after the intervention. T-tests after the HBB intervention also revealed a substantial improvement in knowledge [[Formula: see text] + SE: 2.09 + 2.13, p < .001]. Similarly, following the HBB intervention, 43 research participants [or more than 3/4 of the sample] demonstrated appropriate skills [≥80%] for neonatal resuscitation, according to the findings of the OSCE-A and OSCE-B psychomotor skill assessments. The HBB program is a lifesaving training program designed for low-income countries. The study’s findings showed that the participants’ knowledge and skills of infant resuscitation were significantly improved by the HBB training course. The HBB training program has the utmost impact if pre-service refresher courses on neonatal resuscitation are offered to the midwife trainees before they join the national midwifery task forces.

Health profile assessment of school children of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan

ABSTRACT Background: The health and nutritional status of young children is an index of national investment within the development of its future manpower. There is a limited data available on health profile among adolescents in India. Thus, this study was undertaken with the target of assessing the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of school children Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The objectives of this study were to assess the health profile including general physical examination, anthropometric measurements, morbidity pattern and addiction among school-going children of Jodhpur. Material and Methods: A school-based observational cross-sectional study was carried out among the nearby schools pertaining to our urban and rural health centres associated with the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS Jodhpur. Result: A total of 525 school children participated in the study. On general physical examination, it was observed that the majority (4.1%) of the school children from rural area were seen with ‘flag sign’ in comparison with those in urban region. Fluorosis was observed in the majority (60.2%) in rural schools in comparison with urban and this was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000). The majority (21, 0.04%) of them were suffering from hearing loss, among them (13,61.9%) were from rural area in comparison with (08, 38.1%) in urban and this difference was found to be statistically significant. (0.000*). Anaemia was observed in (210, 40.0%) of the school children. Conclusion: The study brings out the need for intensified and targeted school health awareness programmes for school-going children and utilization of various services.

Family adoption program (FAP) as a learning tool—perceptions of students and faculty of community medicine

ABSTRACT Introduction: The family adoption program, a newer initiative in the medical education curriculum, provides a learning opportunity toward community-based health care to Indian Medical Graduates. However, it has its own challenges and opportunities. The Objective of the study is to understand the perceptions of faculty and students regarding this program. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among the faculty of Department of Community Medicine and phase 1 medical undergraduates of the selected medical colleges. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered in Google Forms. The responses received from the participants in Google Forms were retrieved and analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS version 25. Results: About 48 faculty of designation ranging from senior resident to professor participated in the study. A total of 190 students in phase 1 MBBS participated in the study. Out of 150 students, 86 (44%) were from private medical colleges and 104 (55%) were from government medical colleges. The perception of the faculty and students regarding FAP was taken in a Likert scale. Most of them agreed that it is a good academic tool to learn communication skills, identify health problems in the community and various determinants of health, develop creative thinking and reasoning. The faculty mentioned that they faced challenges in arranging logistics. The faculty also made some recommendations to improve the program. Conclusion: The current study showed despite the challenges faced during the implementation of the FAP program, it will empower the students and faculty for better training, community-oriented research, and community-oriented medical education in the long run.

Awareness and Utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-NHPM) among Beneficiaries of Gautam Buddha Nagar District: A Comparative Study

Ayushman Bharat scheme is a National Health Protection Scheme introduced on September 23, 2018 by the government of India. The study was done to estimate the awareness and utilization of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the urban and rural beneficiaries of Gautam Buddha Nagar. A comparative cross sectional study was conducted in the field practice areas of the Department of Community Medicine, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh among 224 households. Simple random sampling was done, and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Our study found that around 8.9% and 18.8% of beneficiaries in urban and rural areas, respectively were aware of the benefits of the scheme. The study also reported that only 8% of beneficiaries in urban areas have utilized the benefits of the scheme while 15.2% of beneficiaries in rural areas have utilized the benefits in rural area. Creating good awareness campaigns, special drives, and working toward quality assurance in both the public and private sectors will help beneficiaries get the best out of this dynamic healthcare scheme.

Exploring the Roles of Trust, Attitudes, and Motivations in COVID-19 Decision-Making and Vaccination Likelihood: Insights from the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance (LA-CEAL) Community-Academic-Public Health-Practice (CAPP) Partnership.

Given the increasing integration of trusted leaders in public health science, including vaccination programs, context-specific understandings of community perceptions and levels of trust are critical to intervention. This study aimed to understand the perspectives and attitudes of the southeastern Louisiana community and inform the development of a community-engaged action plan. A cross-sectional survey of 555 southeastern Louisianans-including faith-based organization (FBO) members, community pharmacy (CommRx) customers, community-based organization (CBO) contacts, and Louisiana community-dwelling residents-was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination likelihood. Of the participants, 89.9% were Black and 56.9% were women (mean age = 53.3 years). Doctors/healthcare providers (HCPs) were the most trusted COVID-19 information sources. Vaccination likelihood was associated with increasing age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27-1.72), trust in doctors/HCPs (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.64-4.88), trust in government (OR = 4.26; 95% CI: 2.44-7.43), and motivations to keep one's community safe (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.36-1.70). CommRx customers (OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.02-3.65) and CBO contacts (OR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.37-4.83) were more likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine than FBO members. Engaging underserved communities and trusted stakeholders through collaborative Community-Academic-Public health-Practice (CAPP) partnerships such as the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance can promote health and wellness and optimize health interventions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AS A KEY ASPECT OF HUMAN WELL-BEING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Environmental enrichment (EE) has long been established as an effective method of improving neuroplasticity and reducing behavioral problems in captive mammals. As the creation of an enriched environment includes the effects of social stimuli and novel objects, its translation to humans can be considered reasonable. In this article, the authors suggest that environmental enrichment should be considered as a promising strategy to combat the social isolation caused by the pandemic, providing a better opportunity for behavioral adaptation. Рurpose: The aim of this review is to explore the importance of environmental enrichment as a fundamental component of promoting human well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the relationship between psychological distress, cognitive impairment and neuropsychological status in patients suffering from COVID-19 and COVID-related isolation, and to describe the benefits of the environmental enrichment approach and propose it as a potential solution to improve brain performance. Methodology: Extensive searches were conducted in academic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Keywords including 'environmental enrichment', 'nature exposure', 'physical activity', 'social interaction', 'cognitive stimulation', 'well-being', 'mental health', 'COVID-19 pandemic' and related terms were used. The search was limited to articles published in English and focused on human populations. Studies eligible for inclusion included empirical research, review articles, meta-analyses and theoretical papers relevant to environmental enrichment and human well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevant articles were screened using titles and abstracts to determine eligibility for full text review. Data were extracted from selected articles, including study objectives, methods, key findings and implications for human well-being. Studies were synthesized thematically to identify common themes, trends and gaps in the literature. The review aims to provide a comprehensive and rigorous synthesis of the literature on the role of environmental enrichment in promoting human well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific novelty: The review presents a new perspective by synthesizing the existing literature on environmental enrichment in the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how environmental factors such as exposure to nature, physical activity and social interactions can serve as critical resources for maintaining and enhancing human well-being in times of crisis. By specifically addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human well-being, the review offers a novel examination of the challenges posed by pandemic-related restrictions, isolation and uncertainty. It highlights how environmental enrichment strategies can serve as adaptive coping mechanisms to mitigate the negative psychological and emotional effects of the pandemic. One of the key scientific novelties of the review is its interdisciplinary approach to understanding human well-being. It synthesizes findings from psychology, public health and environmental science to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of environmental enrichment in promoting holistic well-being during the pandemic. Conclusions. The review highlights the importance of environmental enrichment, which includes exposure to nature, physical activity, social interactions and cognitive stimulation, in promoting human well-being during the pandemic. Environmental enrichment strategies offer valuable resources for mitigating the negative psychological, emotional and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. By providing opportunities for stress reduction, mood enhancement and social support, these interventions contribute to resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms in times of crisis. Exposure to nature is emerging as a particularly powerful form of environmental enrichment, with therapeutic benefits for mental health, emotional well-being and overall quality of life. Encouraging physical activity and facilitating social interactions, albeit within the constraints of public health guidelines, play a critical role in maintaining human well-being during the pandemic.

Maternal factors affecting foetal outcome in rural area of district Amritsar, Punjab

Background: Birth weight not only indicates health of mother, nutrition and quality of life but also a pivotal factor in determining growth, survival and development of children. The key aspect influencing birth weight is maternal factors. Stress during pregnancy also affects a child's growth and development. So the present study was planned to assess the maternal factors affecting foetal outcomes. The level of stress among antenatal women was also determined in the study. Methods: A prospective observational type of study was conducted from January to March, 2022. All the registered antenatal women were followed till outcome of pregnancy. Information was collected on predesigned and pretested proforma. Data analysis was done using SPSS version- 23. Results: A total of 114 antenatal were registered in rural field practice area under Department of Community Medicine, SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar. There were 108 singleton live births and 6 miscarriages among registered antenatal women. Almost half (47.2%) of subjects got their pregnancy registered before 12 weeks. Recommended more than minimum 4 antenatal visits were conducted in almost half (49.1%) of women. Three fourth (75.9%) women in first trimester of pregnancy were suffering from moderate stress while 24.1% women were suffering from low stress. Conclusions: In the present study maternal factors found to be significantly associated with birth weight of newborn were maternal age at first child, timing of 1st Antenatal visits, weight gain during pregnancy, number of Td (Tetanus diptheria) doses taken and consumption of IFA tablets. Perceived stress score (PSS) was also found to be significantly associated with birth weight of newborn.

Assessment of the living conditions in a rural setting through cross sectional study

Background: An important part of a healthy community comprises healthy families. Living conditions play a crucial role in defining the well-being of the family. The quality of housing, access to basic amenities, environmental factors and the overall socio-economic status of the families have a direct impact on the family health. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study done based on the survey of 200 families based in Hasan Nagar, conducted by the students of Deccan College of Medical Sciences under the guidance of the department of community medicine. The families were surveyed based on a pre-formed questionnaire and the data was analysed using descriptive analysis. Conclusion: In this study of 200 families, 77% were nuclear families, 69.5% had pucca houses. Majority of the families 26.5% had 5 family members. In 45% of the families overcrowding was present. All of the houses had electricity supply. Separate kitchen was present in 77% of the houses. In 85% of families rice was the staple food. 88.5% used public refuse bins for disposal of solid waste and 96% used sewerage systems for liquid waste disposal. Latrine was present in 94% of the houses.

Anthropometric Assessment of Children (1-6 Years) Attending Anganwadi in Rural Field Practice Area of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi.

Context/Background: Undernutrition is conventionally assessed by prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting. These methods even though widely used, do not give single measure of assessment of undernutrition. CIAF (Composite measure of anthropometer failure) gives single, comprehensive figure, as it identifies all the children experiencing anthropometric failure. Stunting Index, Underweight Index and Wasting index further identifies severity of individual parameter in relation to total undernutrition. Aims/Objectives: To estimate prevalence of undernutrition among 1–6-year children by conventional methods like stunting, underweight and wasting along with other methods like CIAF and anthropometric indices like Stunting Index (SI), Underweight Index (UI) and Wasting Index (WI). Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 206 children belonging to 5 anganwadi centres in rural field practice area of department of community Medicine, GIMS Kalaburagi Karnataka. Results: Overall prevalence of stunting was 51.9%, underweight was 35% and wasting was 20%. CIAF (Composite Index of Anthropometric failure) was 65.5%. Stunting Index, Underweight Index and Wasting Index was 0.79, 0.53 and 0.30 respectively. Stunting was widely prevalent among boys and girls suffered more from wasting and underweight. Conclusions: CIAF should be widely used in assessing undernutrition in community along with Anthropometric Indices.