Literate Mothers Research Articles

757. Association between cumulative febrile, respiratory and diarrheal illness in the first year of life and neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes among a cohort of children in rural Guatemala

BackgroundRecurrent infections are associated with neurodevelopmental (ND) delay in infants, but the primary drivers are poorly understood. Leveraging an infant cohort from rural Guatemala designed to evaluate the effects of post-natal Zika virus on ND (DMID 16-0057), we evaluated the association between cumulative illness and ND delay and stunting.MethodsInfants enrolled at 0-3 months of age underwent weekly at-home surveillance for caregiver-reported syndromic illness, including cough, fever and vomiting/diarrhea for a 12-month period. Anthropometric assessments and ND testing by Guatemalan psychologists using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) were perforrmed at 12-15 months of age. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to test associations between syndromic illness in infancy, 12-15-month MSEL Early Learning Composite (ELC) Score, and stunting (height-for-age < -2 SD) at 12-15 months.ResultsThe cohort (n=425) had a mean enrollment age of 1.3 months; 202 (48%) were female, 387 (91%) self-reported a literate mother, and 301 (71%) were breastfeeding at study completion. Infants had reported illness for a median of 16 weeks during the surveillance period; cough was reported most frequently (median=11 weeks, range=0-37 weeks). Lower maternal education (p=0.007) and literacy (p=0.002) as well as infant age (p=0.007) and male gender (p=0.004) were associated with MSEL ELC Score <85 (-1 SD). After adjusting for gender, breastfeeding, age, and maternal literacy, the cumulative number of weeks with reported cough (p=0.0009), fever (p=0.0001), or any syndromic illness (p=0.0007) were associated with decreased 12-month MSEL ECL Score; there was no association with diarrhea/vomiting (p=0.36). There was no association between caregiver-reported syndromic illnesses (any type) and stunting at final study visit.ConclusionIn a cohort of Guatemalan infants, cumulative fever and cough episodes were significantly associated with lower MSEL ELC Score, whereas there was no association with diarrhea/vomiting. In this low-resource community, these findings highlight the potential negative ND consequences of febrile illness and persistent cough in the first year of life. NIAID Contract HHSN272201300015I Task Order HHSN27200013 (Co-PIs: FMM and EJA).Disclosures Molly Lamb, PhD, BioFire (Grant/Research Support) Evan J. Anderson, MD, Sanofi Pasteur (Scientific Research Study Investigator)

A Cluster-Randomized Trial to Test Sharing Histories as a Training Method for Community Health Workers in Peru.

Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly deployed to support mothers' adoption of healthy home practices in low- and middle-income countries. However, little is known regarding how best to train them for the capabilities and cultural competencies needed to support maternal health behavior change. We tested a CHW training method, Sharing Histories (SH), in which CHWs recount their own childbearing and childrearing experiences on which to build new learning. We conducted an embedded cluster-randomized trial in rural Peru in 18 matched clusters. Each cluster was a primary health facility catchment area. Government health staff trained female CHWs using SH (experimental clusters) or standard training methods (control clusters). All other training and system-strengthening interventions were equal between study arms. All CHWs conducted home visits with pregnant women and children aged 0-23 months to teach, monitor health practices and danger signs, and refer. The primary outcome was height-for-age (HAZ)<-2 Z-scores (stunting) in children aged 0-23 months. Household surveys were conducted at baseline (606 cases) and 4-year follow-up (606 cases). Maternal and child characteristics were similar in both study arms at baseline and follow-up. Difference-in-differences analysis showed mean HAZ changes were not significantly different in experimental versus control clusters from baseline to endline (P=.469). However, in the subgroup of literate mothers, mean HAZ improved by 1.03 on the Z-score scale in experimental clusters compared to control clusters from baseline to endline (P=.059). Using generalized estimating equations, we demonstrated that stunting in children of mothers who were literate was significantly reduced (Beta=0.77; 95% confidence interval=0.23, 1.31; P<.01), adjusting for covariates. Compared with standard training methods, SH may have improved the effectiveness of CHWs as change agents among literate mothers to reduce child stunting. Stunting experienced by the children of illiterate mothers may have involved unaddressed determinants of stunting.

‘When my children were born, I started to love Belgium’: Moroccan migrant mothers’ narratives of affective citizenship in the Belgian citizenisation context

ABSTRACT Integration policies and citizenisation programmes tend to have narrow conceptions of ‘good’ citizenship and are often articulated alongside specific assumptions regarding different migrant groups. This study draws on the qualitative research of a unique citizenisation pilot programme in Flanders, Belgium. The programme offered the combination of language courses, citizenisation and education support, and specifically targeted low literate migrant mothers from a non-EU background. Our analysis reveals the discrepancies between dominant discourses about integration and citizenisation and the participants’ own views and experiences. We found that the government-subsidised local programme primarily focused on the mothers’ citizenship in terms of linguistic and cultural integration, while the women themselves mostly endorsed an affective citizenship as mothers, wives and community members, by centralising mothering and care work. Furthermore, the programme oscillated between paternalism and support, visible in discourses of ‘need’ and ‘empowerment’. And finally, the mothers’ agency to navigate between the programme’s objectives and their own were dependent on their intersectional positionings; the more literate and the longer their residence in the host society, the more critical they were regarding the programme’s agenda. Based on these findings, some empirically obtained directives for future citizenisation programmes are suggested.

A Study to Analyse the Knowledge Level of Women Beneficiaries of Anganwadi Centres (AWC) Regarding Nutrition in District Budgam of Kashmir Region

Mother is a main caretaker of their children particularly during the first three to six years of life when they are at the risk of being undernourished. How well she takes care of her children to keep them healthy will depend upon the level of her knowledge regarding childcare and nutrition and various associated factors. As such this study was planned to assess and enhance the extent of knowledge among women beneficiaries of ICDS (Integrated child development Service Scheme) centers of district Budgam of Kashmir region. With an intension to surpass and facilitate the knowledge of women beneficiaries this study was taken up with a sample of 600 registered women beneficiaries of AWCs (Anganwadi centers) out of which 150 were nursing mothers, (NM) 150 were pregnant women (PW) and 300 were mothers of child beneficiaries (MCB having children in the age group 6 months-3years. The tool used for assessing the knowledge level was a self-devised rating scale designed to measure the nutritional knowledge related to importance of different kinds (variety) of foods for adequate/ optimal growth and development of a child. Further, in order to divide the levels of nutritional knowledge as, low, medium and high, Quartiles were calculated. In this way the mothers having low level of knowledge (Q1) those who scored up to 4, medium (Q2) whereas, sample women who scored between 5-6 and high level of knowledge (Q3) scored as ≥ 7.The statements were so arranged that a positive answer was specified under score of 1, whereas, a negative statement was granted a score of 0 . The scores of positive responses were summed up and the level of knowledge of women beneficiaries was ascertained, a statistically significant variation is observed in levels of nutritional knowledge as per educational qualification and income group among the respondents. It is also seen that respondents from block B.K.Pora and Nagam blocks are having high level of nutritional knowledge in comparison to block Budgam and Chadoora. Among the groups, MCB are having higher level of knowledge in comparison to NM and PW. No significant variation in the levels of nutritional knowledge is seen as per age. It is quite obvious from the study that education of mothers is directly related to knowledge. Educated mother are more knowledgeable than functionally literate mothers.

How childhood diseases awareness contributes to minimize the risk of disease severity in children under five age: An evolutionary study.

To scrutinise the contribution of childhood disease awareness in mothers to minimise the risk of disease severity in children aged <5 years and to evaluate the effectiveness of a proposed app in this context. The evolutionary study was conducted in Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health Multan from September 2018 to February 2019 and comprised two sessions with the app involving 30 mothers who were provided with smartphones with the app installed. The mothers were divided into 4 age groups. The app was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative measures. Suggestions and opinions were obtained in the first session and all suggestions were implemented by the second session. Of the 30 mothers, 8(26.6%) were in Group 1 aged 14-20 years, 12(40%) in Group 2 aged 21-27 years, 7(23.3%) in Group 3 aged 28-34 years and 3(10%) in Group 4 aged 35 years and above. The participants were able to diagnose their children's diseases accurately by following the instructions provided by the app. The subjects also agreed that they diagnosed the diseases accurately. All the participants were interested in the app and expressed the desire to have it available across the healthcare facilities in Pakistan. All subjects showed acceptance for the app and affirmed its easy usability, especially for illiterate mothers.

Health Literacy of Mothers in Ghods Children's Hospital, Qazvin

Health Literacy of Mothers in Ghods Children's Hospital, Qazvin

Incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth \u2013 findings from a multi-centric observational study for 14\u2009months in Nepal

BackgroundPreterm birth is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth in Nepal.MethodsThis was an observational study conducted in 12 public hospitals of Nepal. All the babies born during the study period were included in the study. Babies born < 37 weeks of gestation were classified as preterm births. For the association and outcomes for preterm birth, univariate followed by multiple regression analysis was conducted.ResultsThe incidence of preterm was found to be 93 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged less than 20 years (aOR 1.26;1.15–1.39) had a high risk for preterm birth. Similarly, education of the mother was a significant predictor for preterm birth: illiterate mothers (aOR 1.41; 1.22–1.64), literate mothers (aOR 1.21; 1.08–1.35) and mothers having basic level of education (aOR 1.17; 1.07–1.27). Socio-demographic factors such as smoking (aOR 1.13; 1.01–1.26), use of polluted fuel (aOR 1.26; 1.17–1.35) and sex of baby (aOR 1.18; 1.11–1.26); obstetric factors such as nulliparity (aOR 1.33; 1.20–1.48), multiple delivery (aOR 6.63; 5.16–8.52), severe anemia during pregnancy (aOR 3.27; 2.21–4.84), antenatal visit during second trimester (aOR 1.13; 1.05–1.22) and third trimester (aOR 1.24; 1.12–1.38), < 4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (aOR 1.49; 1.38–1.61) were found to be significant risk factors of preterm birth. Preterm has a risk for pre-discharge mortality (10.60; 9.28–12.10).ConclusionIn this study, we found high incidence of preterm birth. Various socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal risk factors were associated with preterm birth. Risk factor modifications and timely interventions will help in the reduction of preterm births and associated mortalities.Trial registrationISRCTN30829654.

The contribution of district prioritization on maternal and newborn health interventions coverage in rural India.

BackgroundIn 2001, India prioritized eight most socioeconomically disadvantaged states known as Empowered Action Group (EAG) states and in 2013, it prioritized 190 of the 718 as high priority districts (HPDs) to accelerate the decline in maternal and newborn mortality. This paper assesses whether the HPDs achieved a greater coverage of maternal and newborn health interventions than the non-HPDs and HPDs in EAG states achieved greater coverage than those in non-EAG states.MethodsWe used data from the Sample Registration System to assess rural neonatal mortality trends in EAG states and all India. We computed a co-coverage index based on seven maternal and newborn health interventions from the 2015/16 National Family Health Survey. Difference in differences (DID) analyses were used to examine the contribution of district prioritization, considering the HPDs and the illiterate as treatment groups and 2013 as the time cut-off for the pre- and post-treatment.ResultsNeonatal mortality declined in rural India from 36 to 27 per 1000 live births during 2010-2016 at 4.5% per year. Four EAG states experienced faster rates of decline than the national rate. From 2013, the co-coverage index increased significantly more in the HPDs compared to non-HPDs (DID = 0.11, P ≤ 0.005). The district prioritization effect on co-coverage was statistically significant in only EAG states (DID = 0.13, P ≤ 0.05). The coverage gains for illiterate mothers were greater than for literate mothers, especially in the HPDs.ConclusionsThe district prioritization in India is associated with greater improvements in the coverage of maternal and newborn health services in EAG states and the HPDs, including reductions in inequalities within those states and districts. There are however still large gaps between states and districts and within districts by the mother’s literacy status that need further prioritization to make progress towards the SDG targets by 2030.

HEALTH CARE MEDIA CAMPAIGNS IN PAKISTAN: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF MOTHERS REGARDING POLIO IMMUNIZATION

Pakistan is faced by a number of health care challenges and battle against polio is still continued. Media can play an effective role through health care campaigns in creating awareness and educating the masses about the perilous and life threatening consequences of diseases, polio in particular. The efficacy of such campaigns is based on widespread mass media outreach. The study aims to identify the media that was the most effective in educating the mothers regarding the infectious disease polio and its immunization in Lahore, Pakistan. It also aims to find out the impact of media on the socio-demographic variables of the respondents. As many as 200 mothers residing in Lahore were surveyed to measure their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards polio immunization. The results of the study show that television channels were the most effective source of information about polio campaigns and immunization as compared to other sources of mass media. The study also determined that literate mothers from urban areas were more vigilant as compared to others with low literacy rate. Moreover, younger mothers had poor knowledge about polio immunization as compared to elderly mothers. Therefore, it is concluded that print, electronic, digital, social, outdoor media and interpersonal communication channels should join hands in hands to eradicate polio and make Pakistan a polio-free country

New Born Care Practices in a Resettlement Colony of Delhi

Background: Newborn death accounts for 40% of all deaths among the under five children. Most of the newborns are born and die at home in developing country. Newborn health intervention trials at the home and community is identified as one of the key strategy to prevent most newborn death. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the newborn care practices and the associated factors among the mothers of resettlement colony in Delhi. Method: Cross sectional study was conducted among mothers of newborn in an urban slum of East Delhi. Systematic random sampling method was adopted to interview 360 mothers who had live newborns under 28 days old. The data was collected using a pretested, validated and semi structured questionnaire .Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: Among 360 study participants, 206(57.2%) preferred home delivery and 154(42.7%) of deliveries was conducted by skilled birth attendant. 31.1% of newborns were dried immediately. The cord was cut after the delivery of placenta among 189(52.5%) of the newborns. 85.3% of mothers something applied on the cord. 18.1% of mothers discarded colostrum. 81.9% of newborns were given prelacteal feeding. Mothers literacy, birth order, no of antenatal visits, place of delivery were significantly associated with the newborn care practices. Conclusion: It is observed that detrimental newborn care practices were more common than the beneficial practices in the study. Understanding newborn care practices at home and community level is essential to improve existing intervention to reduce neonatal mortality.

Stunting diagnostic and awareness: impact assessment study of sociodemographic factors of stunting among school-going children of Pakistan

BackgroundStunting is a major public health issue in most of developing countries. Although, its worldwide prevalence is decreasing slowly but the number of stunted children is still rising in Pakistan. Stunting is highly associated with several long-term consequences, including higher rate of mortality and morbidity, deficient cognitive growth, school performance, learning capacity, work capacity and work productivity. To prevent stunting, we proposed Stunting Diagnostic and Education app. This app includes detailed knowledge of stunting and it’s all forms, symptoms, causes, video tutorials and guidelines by the Pediatricians and Nutritionists.MethodsA cross-sectional study has been conducted in schools of Multan District, Pakistan for the period of January 2019 to June 2019. Sample data of 1420 children, aged 4 to 18 years using three age groups, were analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0 to assess the prevalence of stunting and to analyze the risk factors associated with it in children under and over 5 age. Chi square test was applied in comparison with rural and urban participants and p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. This study includes distribution of sociodemographic characteristics, parental education, working status of mothers, dietary patterns of school going children and prevalence of stunting in school going children. After getting study results, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed according to the instructions of child experts and nutritionists.Results354 (24.93%) participants were stunted out of 1420, 11.9% children were obese and 63.17% children were normal. Out of 354 stunted children, higher ratio of stunting was found in the age group of 8–11 years children with 51.98 percentage. 37.85% stunted children were found in the age group of 4–7 years and 10.17% stunting was found in the age group of 12–18 years children. It was observed in the study that male children were highly stunted than female with 57.91 and 42.09% respectively. Children living in rural areas were more stunted affected as compared to the children living in urban society with percentage 58.76 and 41.24 respectively.ConclusionsOur study concluded that 24.93% children were stunted, out of which, age group of 8–11 years children were highly stunted. The study showed that the literacy of mother or caregiver had high impact on children’s health. Therefore, Stunting Diagnostic and Education app was developed to educate mothers to diagnose stunting and to teach about the prevention of stunting.

Menambah penghasilan keluarga dengan memanfaatkan media sosial di kalangan ibu-ibu rumah tangga

Without having to leave home, by not leaving domestic work, mothers can still be productive and generate additional income for the family. Advances in information technology make it possible. However, not all technology literate mothers and can use social media to sell online. There are two things that they do not understand correctly, how to use social media to sell, and how to trade safely online. These two things are the focus of learning in this community service. From the results of the learning done, it is known that selling online using social media is very attractive to mothers. Besides being able to do it casually, they also have no difficulty in practicing it. After this learning and training session, it is hoped that homemakers will be more enthusiastic and optimistic about selling online. Keywords: Social Media; Sell; Online Transactions

Assessment of Nutritional Status and its Determinants among Students of Army Public School, Okara, Pakistan

Background: Malnutrition is a health problem affecting growth and development of young children. Children under 15 years of age are the main victims of malnutrition. Malnutrition is attributed to a series of diverse etiological factors.&#x0D; Objective: To determine the nutritional status of the children of various age groups of school going children of Army Public School and to find out the association of socio-demographic variables and dietary habits with nutritional status.&#x0D; Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Army Public School, Okara. Sample was selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Duration of study was 6 months (Dec 2017 to May 2018). The study was conducted after getting formal approval from Institutional Ethical Review Board AFPGMI. The children were randomly selected for study from the enrollment register available in the principal’s office. Participation in the study was voluntary with guaranteed confidentiality. The participants were given full right to quit study without mentioning reason at any time during data collection. After ruling out the exclusion criteria, 500 children fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected for study. An informed written consent was obtained from all selected children and their parents to take part in the study. Data for the assessment of nutritional status was obtained using anthropometry, biochemical laboratory test and eating habits / food preferences of the children.&#x0D; Results: In our study, mean age of children included in the study was 9.58±1.72 years. Out of 500 children, 252 (50.2%) were male while 248 (49.8%) female. The mean height of children was 134.88±11.69 cm. The mean weight of children was 30.25±8.47 kg. The mean OFC of children was 51.43±1.75 cm. Out of total 500 children, 85 (17%) were having BMI less than 18.5, 338 (67.6%) were having BMI within 18.5–24.9 while 77 (15.4%) children having BMI within 25-29.9. None of child was observed with BMI of ?30. Among 85 children with below normal BMI, 63 had mild malnutrition (BMI between 17-18.4), 19 had moderate malnutrition (BMI 16-16.9) while 3 had severe malnutrition (BMI &lt; 16)&#x0D; Conclusion: Malnutrition is a significant public health problem among preschool and school going children. And improving socio-economic condition along with literacy of mothers and preventing infections through personal hygiene might help in improving the nutritional status of children.

Substance use and its determinants among students of industrial training institute in tribal area of Thane district, Maharashtra

Background: Substance use is a major public health challenge because it is engulfing the younger generation with serious health, social and economic concern. Unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use often begin during adolescence. The study was undertaken with objectives of assessing the prevalence of substance use and its determinants among students of Industrial Training Institute (ITI).Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in all students of the institute to find out prevalence of substance use and its determinants. Data was collected in a predesigned and pretested proforma by oral questionnaire method and was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests of significance.Results: Prevalence of substance use was 18%. There was no significant association of substance use with age, education, caste or residence of the student but it was significantly associated with type of family (p=0.02) and literacy of mother and father (p=0.04 and p=0.01). Tobacco was most commonly used substance and most common factor determining substance use was addiction in family members. All the participants were aware about cancer as a health hazard of substance use but awareness about other health hazards was low.Conclusions: Several factors can act as determinants of substance use including type of family, education of parents, peer pressure and addiction in family members. Role of family and society should be identified and practiced for prevention and control of this substance use.

Impact of vaccination on the risk factors for acute rotavirus diarrhea: An analysis of the data of a cluster randomized trial conducted in a rural area of Bangladesh

BackgroundRotavirus is one of the causes of severe diarrhea and death in young children. To control the disease, safe and effective vaccines are being used in several countries. We assessed the impact of vaccination on the risk factors for acute rotavirus diarrhea (ARD) in Bangladesh. MethodsWe used the data of a cluster-randomized trial. The clusters were 142 villages, 71 in each of the two arms of study. The infants were offered human rotavirus vaccine (HRV), Rotarix, over three-year period. We divided the time period into two equal periods (T1 and T2). A generalized estimating equation with logit-link function was used to evaluate the risk factors by arm and by period. ResultsAmong 10,917 children, 5,759 (53%) were in the HRV villages. We had 359 cases; 44% in the HRV villages. Mean age of attack was similar between the arms of study in T1, but significantly higher in HRV villages than that in the non-HRV villages in T2. In HRV villages, males were at a higher risk of having ARD than females in T1, but not in T2. In contrast, males were at a higher risk of having ARD in both the time periods in non-HRV villages. In HRV-villages, children having literate mother were at significantly higher risk of having ARD in T1 but not in T2; whereas children in the non-HRV villages had a higher risk of having ARD in T2. Children living in an area with higher phone users had more cases than their counterpart in non-HRV villages, but not in HRV villages. ConclusionOur study illustrates that several risk factors for ARD varied between the two arms of study as well as between the two periods of study. Assessing post-vaccination risk factors is, therefore, important for understanding the impact of vaccination and undertaking post-vaccination control measures.

Syrian refugee mothers' knowledge levels of childhood wellness: A program evaluation.

ABSTRACTBackground:Children are most affected by migration and wars. The health of child asylum seekers is adversely affected due to poor nutrition, malnutrition, insufficient vaccinations, and a lack of preventive health-care services (PHCS). The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge levels of the refugee mothers of child wellness monitoring, child vaccinations, and the importance of breastfeeding before and after implementation of an educational program.Materials and Methods:A questionnaire consisting of 12 statements about the importance of child wellness monitoring, child vaccinations, and breastfeeding was prepared and translated into Arabic. Refugee mothers were asked to complete the questionnaire before and after the education program.Results:Thirty-one (72.1%) of the 43 participating mothers had their children vaccinated regularly. Vitamin D supplementation was given to 58.1%, and 23.1% were started on iron supplementation. The rate of vitamin D supplementation was higher in the literate mothers (P = 0.010). The least correctly answered statement before the education program was related to iron supplementation (n = 24, 55.8%). The mean (standard deviation) number of correct answers given by the participating mothers to the 12 statements before the seminar was 9.16 (±2.05), this increased to 11.16 (±0.99) after the seminar.Conclusion:The resultes of this study show that refugee mothers’ knowledge levels about vitamin D and iron supplementation are quite low. Their knowledge levels can be increased in the short term by providing information in the mothers’ native languages.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women of reproductive age group in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) reduces delays in obstetric care, improves health-seeking behavior during an obstetric emergency, and improves knowledge on danger signs of pregnancy. To assess the knowledge, perception, and practice of women on BPCR. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Federal Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi state, Nigeria at the postnatal ward from June to December 2016. Women who delivered were recruited consecutively on discharge from the postnatal ward. Their knowledge, perception, and practice of BPCR in the last pregnancy were sought. Information obtained were analyzed using 2008 Epi-info™ software version 3.5.1 (Atlanta Georgia USA). A total of 438 of 445 questionnaires were correctly filled and analyzed giving a response rate of 98.4%. Most of the women knew about birth preparedness 384 (87.7%) and complication readiness 348 (79.5%). A significant number of women did not access antenatal care within the first trimester 236 (53.9%), did not know that family planning is important in BPCR 216 (49.3%), and did not identify means of transport in the event of emergency 354 (80.8%). No provision of blood during antenatal care for the blood banking system was a common finding 258 (58.9%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, choosing a health care provider was a common finding among literate mothers (OR = 2.8,95% CI = 1.02,7.72), woman within 25-29 years (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.02,1.16), and multiparas (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.67,0.99). There is increased knowledge and awareness of BPCR but the comprehensive components and practices of BPCR are still not optimal in our setting.

A cross-sectional study to investigate the impact of focused group discussion on menstrual hygiene among rural school girls of Southern Haryana, India.

INTRODUCTION:Menstruation is a natural phenomenon among women who experience shedding of blood for 1–7 days every month which usually starts between age 11 and 14 years and continues until menopause at about 51 years of age. It is important to maintain menstrual hygiene, as poor practices increase vulnerability to reproductive and urinary tract infections. The present study was conducted with an aim to investigate the impact of focused group discussion (FGD) compared to didactic lectures (DLs) on the menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices.METHODS:The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 649 school girls during January to August 2019 using a convenience sampling technique. After collecting baseline information using a pretested, predesigned, standardized questionnaire, the participants in the control and intervention groups were exposed for the DLs and FGD, respectively, and 1 month after such intervention, the same questionnaire was again self-administered by participants. All tests were performed at a 5% level of significance using SPSS (version 22.0).RESULTS:The baseline characteristics of both the groups such as participants' mean age, mean age of menarche, mother's literacy status, religion, type of family, and socioeconomic status were comparable. There was a difference in the knowledge and practice mean score of participants in the control group for pre- and postintervention, which was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:This study reveals that menstrual hygiene is far from satisfactory among most of the school girls. The DLs and FGD have improved the menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among school girls.

Influence of Periodontal Infection as a Possible Risk Factor for Preterm Low Birth Weight.

ABSTRACTBackground:There is emerging interest and increasing amount of evidence that support the interrelationship between periodontitis and systemic conditions. Epidemiological and microbiological–immunological studies have lent credence to the concept that periodontal disease may be a separate risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease, as well as preterm delivery of low-birth-weight infants.Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of periodontal infection as a possible risk factor for preterm low birth weight (LBW) based on age, literacy, and hemoglobin level of mother.Materials and Methods:The observational study was conducted on 200 subjects, which were selected from the free labor ward, District Hospital, Saifai, Etawah, UP, India. Periodontal examinations were performed using the World Health Organization criteria. The periodontal status of the mother was recorded using Community Periodontal Index.Results:For this study, chi-square test was performed to know the effect of variables and to find out the statistical significance of the study. Age of mother shows statistical insignificant association with periodontal disease, whereas literacy of mothers showed statistical significant association with periodontal disease, and periodontal status and hemoglobin levels of the mothers also showed a significant association.Conclusion:The prevalence of LBW infants was considerably less in mothers with a healthy periodontium and increased with progressive periodontal disease.

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Under-5 Children in A Slum of Kolkata, West Bengal: A Community Based Study

Background: The nutritional status of under-5 children in slums is an important health indicator for assessing the health status of entire population. Reduction in malnutrition is a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to improve child welfare. The study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of under-5 children in a slum of Kolkata and its associated factors.Materials and Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study among under-5 children in a slum area of Kolkata, West Bengal, India to determine nutritional status and its determinants using WHO Z-score and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF). A total of 129 under-5 children were included by simple random sampling. Data entry was done in SPSS. All ethical issues were addressed.Results: Out of total 129 children assessed, 31.8% were found to have anthropometric failure using CIAF. However, with standard anthropometric indices such as weight-for-age, weight-for-height, height-for-age, and mid upper arm circumference,17.8% were underweight, 9.3% were wasted, 16.3% were stunted and 14% were undernourished respectively. About 40.3% children had morbidity within last 2 weeks (acute respiratory infection 25.6%, diarrhoea 3.9%, fever 10.9%). Literacy of mother [AOR-3.79 (1.39-10.33)], exclusive breast feeding [AOR-6.1 (1.80-8.79)], personal hygienic practice [AOR-3.17 (1.02-10.02)] and morbidity profile [AOR-2.95 (1.13-7.72)] were significantly associated with nutritional status.Conclusion:The study identifies maternal education and care and infant and child feeding practices to have a bearing on the nutritional status of the children. Further large scale studies are warranted to determine the alleviation in the situation after addressing these factors.