Sabarkantha District Research Articles

Are School-going Adolescents Mentally Healthy? Case Study from Sabarkantha, Gujarat, India.

Background:Mental health issues becoming the global public health challenge, especially among the youth (12–24 years of age), although they are often detected later in life. In India, the adolescent population constitutes a quarter of the country's population and burden of disease varies from 9.5 to 102/1000 population. Most of the mental health disorders remain unidentified due to negligence and ignorance of multiple factors. Keeping this in mind and lack of population-based studies with good quality for guiding the mental health policies, this study aims to document the prevalence of emotional and behavioral difficulties among adolescents in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, India.Methods:This is a school-based cross-sectional study conducted among 11–19 years of school-going adolescents during August–September 2016. About 477 adolescents who gave consent to participate were selected from 20 randomly primary and secondary schools. A prevalidated questionnaire for sociodemographic information including global validated standard questionnaire for mental health scoring known as Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered and self-reported responses were documented. Statistical analysis was conducted through SPSS version 20.Results:Mean age of the study population was 14.2 ± 1.4 years. About 14.6% boys and 12.6% of girls had abnormal total SDQ score, while 15.3% boys and 21.9% of girls had borderline SDQ score. Thus, 70.1% of boys compared to 65.6% girls had normal SDQ score. The difference between mean (higher mean score among girls) of total SDQ score of boys and girls was statically significant at the level of P < 0.05. Major risk factors for self-reported mental health issues were illiterate mother, occupation of parents, which make them away from family during daytime, nuclear family, severe addiction to alcohol in the family, financial problem in the family, and adolescent getting daily physical punishment. One-seventh adolescents are vulnerable for mental health problems found in this study. About one-fifth adolescents have internalizing (emotional) and about one-sixth have externalizing (conduct) manifestations.Conclusion:There is an urgent need to address the emotional and conduct manifestation among school-going adolescents. Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram framework needs to address these issues on priority.

&lt;b&gt;Additional record and conservation measures of &lt;I&gt;Ceropegia odorata&lt;/I&gt; Nimmo ex J. Graham from Gujarat State, India&lt;/b&gt;

Ceropegia odorata Nimmo ex J. Graham (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) a Critically Endangered plant species from India was recorded in Gujarat after about 45 years in Vijaynagar forest of Sabarkantha District (northern Gujarat). It was first collected from Pavagadh in central Gujarat. Long-term conservation and participatory approaches, details on macro- and micro-habitats, associated species, landscape level monitoring programs are suggested for the new recorded locality and hill ranges.

A Review on Medicinal Plants Biodiversity of Vijayanagar Forest, Gujarat, India

India is endowed with varying biogeography and physico-environment that encompasses a range of biodiversity with variation and endemism. Indian forests are characterised by human inhabitation from time immemorial.Gujarat situated at the western part of India is characterised by the assemblage of sea, lofty Aravallis, Vindhyas, Satpura range and Thar desert giving a rich diversity of species, habitat and ecosystems. These eosystems despite its semi arid and arid climate encompasses unique and shelter some of the world’s threatened species of plants and animals. They have rich fauna and diverse flora of medicinal herbs that are traditionally used by the healers. Vijaynagar Polo forest of Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district is one of such area that contains fascinating flora and fauna. It is a dry deciduous forest with teak trees and various medicinal plants that are seasonal. This paper describes the scope of exploration of the forest for medicinal plants biodiversity in addition to the eco tourism that is practiced there for the rich fauna and flora of river side with most ancient historical sites.

A study of availability of basic facilities at household level of rural Gujarat, India

Background: India, a globally important consumer economy and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. By 2025-26 the number of middle class households in India is likely to more than double from the 2015-16 levels to 113.8 million households or 547 million individuals. The standard of living in India shows large disparity. Objectives: To study the rural household condition regarding social, demographic and housing condition. Methods: This cross-sectional secondary data analysis study was conducted at RHTC – Hadiyol of GMERS medical college, Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat during 1st January 2016 to 30th August 2016. Study included 500 household from RHTC with 2250 members of rural area by purposive sampling method. Results: Almost 93.8% population was residing their own house and 66.2% population have “pucca” house. Mean family size was 4.5 ± 1.5 in rural households. Separate kitchen was present in 54.4% houses. Conclusions: Study reveals the socio-demographic and housing status difference between urban slum and rural area regarding own house, number of family members, kitchen, latrine, bathroom, and overcrowding, sanitary practices.

A Review on Evaluation of Bromide Ion Concentration In water Samples From Himatnagar, Sabarkantha District, Gujarat

A Review on Evaluation of Bromide Ion Concentration In water Samples From Himatnagar, Sabarkantha District, Gujarat

Impact of adoption startup scenario of recommended potato production technology by the potato growers in Gujarat

Potato is an important vegetable crop of the Sabarkantha district of the Gujarat state occupying about 18.46 per cent of total potato cropped area of the state. It ranks second in area and production of potato after Banaskantha district. While it ranks fourth with average productivity 31.04 MT/ha after Gandhinagar (33.75 MT/ha), Anand (32.00 MT/ha) and Banaskantha (31.05 MT/ha).The following objectives were studied that are to find out the extent of adoption of potato production technology by the potato growers and to know the marketing management by the potato growers, to ascertain the association between the extent of adoption of recommended potato production technology by the potato growers and their selected characteristics.The following conclusions were, A great majority (61.67%) of the potato growers had medium level of knowledge regarding recommended practices of potato. The findings regards to the practice-wise knowledge of the respondents about recommended potato production technology are presented. It reveals that 'sowing time and method' and 'irrigation management' were the most important practices of potato cultivation and found having maximum mean knowledge score (93.33 mean score each).Majority (70.83 %) of the respondents had medium extent of adoption of recommended production technology of potato. The practice-wise adoptions of recommended production technology of potato concluded that among the different recommended potato production technologies, (86.57 mean score) of the respondents had adopted irrigation management technology.Majority (70.83%) of the respondents had medium marketing management by the farmers. The data about various aspect of marketing management concluded that it was portray that majority respondent (48.33%) were selling their produce through the commission agent, while 30.83 per cent of the respondents selling their produced to the wholesaler in the market yard. Further, it was found that 51.66 per cent of the respondents sold their produce when the prices are favorable, while 30.83 per cent of the respondents sold their produce immediately after the harvest. In case of grading it was found that 60.00 per cent of the respondents followed grading on the basis of the size of potato and 40.00 per cent of the respondents followed grading on the basis of quality of potato. The responses regarding storage facility revealed that 43.33 per cent of the respondents stored the potato in gunny bags, followed cold storage 40.84 per cent. The independent variables like age, education, annual income, extension participation, method of irrigation, innovative proneness, risk orientation and level of knowledge had positive and significant correlation with adoption of recommended crop production technology by farmers. While, the variables like size of family, social participation, land holding and cropping pattern had positive and non- significant relationship with adoption of recommended crop production technology by the farmers.

Extent of adoption of potato production technology by the potato growers in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat

Horticulture sector covering only 8.00 per cent of total cropped area in the country and it contributes 24.50 per cent to G.D.P. and 54.55 per cent to export earning in agriculture sector. Potato is an important vegetable crop of the Sabarkantha district of the Gujarat state occupying about 18.46 per cent of total potato cropped area of the state. It ranks second in area and production of potato after Banaskantha district. While it ranks fourth with average productivity 31.04 MT/ha after Gandhinagar (33.75 MT/ha), Anand (32.00 MT/ha) and Banaskantha (31.05 MT/ha). The specific objectives studied were, to study the personal, socio-economic, situational and psychological characteristics of the potato growers, to find out knowledge level of the potato growers about potato production technology, to find out the extent of adoption of potato production technology by the potato growers. The results revealed that majority (56.67 %) of the potato growers were found in the middle age group and majority (35.83%) of the potato growers were educated upto high secondary level. Nearly half (54.17%) of the respondents belonged to medium size of family, majority (60.83%) of the potato growers had membership in one organization, more than two-fifths (42.50 %) of the potato growers were semi-medium farmers having 2.01 to 4.0 ha of land, majority (67.50 %) of the potato growers were found with medium annual income and majority (71.67%) of the potato growers fell in medium category of the extension participation. Three-fifths (61.67%) of the potato growers had adopted drip as a method of irrigation and majority (63.33%) of the farmers had adopted groundnut-potato-fodder sorghum potato based cropping pattern, more than three-fourths (75.83%) of the potato growers had medium innovative proneness and nearly three- fifths (60.00%) of the potato growers had medium risk orientation. A great majority (61.67%) of the potato growers had medium level of knowledge regarding recommended practices of potato. The findings regards to the practice-wise knowledge of the respondents about recommended potato production technology are presented. It reveals that 'sowing time and method' and 'irrigation management' were the most important practices of potato cultivation and found having maximum mean knowledge score (93.33 mean score each). Majority (70.83 %) of the respondents had medium extent of adoption of recommended production technology of potato. The practice-wise adoptions of recommended production technology of potato concluded that among the different recommended potato production technologies, (86.57mean score) of the respondents had adopted irrigation management technology.

Assessment of Drought in Sabarkantha District Using Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI)

Assessment of Drought in Sabarkantha District Using Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI)

Impact of Microfinance on Poor Women: Lessons from Sabarkantha, Gujarat

Microfinance, in simple terms, can be defined as financial services for the poor. Currently, the policy-makers all over the globe are increasing their emphasis on microfinance. At this point of time, considering the energy and money being channelized to this sector, one of the issues that need to be addressed is that of effectiveness of the various models of microfinance delivery. With this backdrop in mind, the present study is an attempt at carrying out an impact assessment of microfinance. This cross-sectional research has been conducted in the Sabarkantha district of the state of Gujarat among the women living below the poverty line (BPL), where the control group comprises new entrants, while the treatment group has old participants of the programme. The study involves both quantitative and qualitative data analysis at the household level and the individual level. The study found that microfinance increases the income of the poor clients who are into the programme for more than two years. It also found that consumption expenditure came down during the initial period of participation as the participants learnt financial prudence, and after that, the change was negative but insignificant. At the individual level, it was found that participation in the programme improved the financial security for the clients and the proportion of daughters attending school to those eligible for schooling. However, there was no significant change in the financial decision-making process. The impact assessment concluded that microfinance does impact the poor women positively, but in order to improve the quality of their lives and to sustain this improvement over a period of time, further interventions at the social and human level are required.

Development of GeoTools Based Comprehensive Information System Pertaining to Vatrak Sub Watershed (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, India)

Development of GeoTools Based Comprehensive Information System Pertaining to Vatrak Sub Watershed (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat, India)

Cost of cultivation of Kharif groundnut in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat state

A study was conducted on 108 farmers of Talod and Himatnagar talukas of Sabarkantha district of Gujarat state for estimating the cost of groundnut production. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the farmers. The requisite data were collected through personal interviews with the farmers with the help of pre-tested comprehensive schedules related to Kharif groundnut crop for the year 2012-13. Net income over cost-C2 was the highest for large farmers followed by medium farmers and small farmers. The total cost and gross return over cost-A, cost-B, cost-C1 and cost-C2 of small farmers was highest and decreased with increase in the size of holding.

Effect of supplementing certain vitamins and chelated trace minerals on reducing incidence of sub-clinical mastitis in crossbred cows

Crossbred cows (93) having a history of sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) in previous lactation were selected from 57 farms in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. Twenty crossbred cows from 12 farms served as control, and the remaining (n=73) were fed daily 10 g supplement per animal containing coated vitamins E and A, chelated copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), along with iodine(I), for 4 weeks prior to calving. Milk samples were collected post calving on day 10, 30, 60 and 90 for analysis of somatic cell counts (SCC), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl) content, pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Blood samples were also collected for neutrophil count, measurement of immunoglobulin and ferric reduction anti-oxidant power (FRAP). The milk producers were provided with Mastect strip for weekly checkup of SCM. Out of 73 supplemented cows, only 15 (21%) showed signs of SCM and CM with Mastect strip and California mastitis test, which was confirmed by SCC in milk (average 7.26×105 cells/ml milk). However, 16 animals (80%) out of 20 in control group were affected by SCM as indicated by the SCC (average 10.11×105 cells/ml milk), which was later aggravated to CM. Milk pH, EC, Na and Cl content in milk were higher in animals affected by SCM than the normal animals. In supplemental group, SCC in 58 (79%) animals was within the normal range (1.22–2.36×105 cells/ml milk) and no signs of SCM or CM were observed. Milk lactose, protein, solids-not-fat (SNF) content and FRAP were higher in unaffected as compared to mastitis affected animals. On feeding the supplement, blood neutrophil count decreased, whereas, immunoglobulin and FRAP activity increased significantly (P&lt;0.05). The inference could be drawn that feeding a vitamins and chelated minerals based supplement 4 weeks prior to calving could significantly help in reducing the incidence of SCM in crossbred cows.

Decision Support System integrated with Geographic Information System to target restoration actions in watersheds of arid environment: A case study of Hathmati watershed, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat

Watershed morphometric analysis is important for controlling floods and planning restoration actions. The present study is focused on the identification of suitable sites for locating water harvesting structures using morphometric analysis and multi-criteria based decision support system. The Hathmati watershed of river Hathmati at Idar taluka, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat is experiencing excessive runoff and soil erosion due to high intensity rainfall. Earth observation dataset such as Digital Elevation Model and Geographic Information System are used in this study to determine the quantitative description of the basin geometry. Several morphometric parameters such as stream length, elongation ratio, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, texture ratio, form factor, circularity ratio, and compactness coefficient are taken into account for prioritization of Hathmati watershed. The overall analysis reveals that Hathmati comprises of 13 mini-watersheds out of which, the watershed number 2 is of utmost priority because it has the highest degradation possibilities. The final results are used to locate the sites suitable for water harvesting structures using geo-visualization technique. After all the analyses, the best possibilities of check dams in the mini-watersheds that can be used for soil and water conservation in the watershed are presented.

Development of Urbanization Index Model using Multi-dimensional Approach

The experience has proven the importance of urbanization for poverty eradication, economic development, and modernization. An attempt has been made in this study to develop Urbanization index model from demographic aspect, Infrastructural development aspect, spatial aspect and economic development aspect. The state of Gujarat, India is taken as a study area. Three districts of Gujarat have been selected for determining the Urbanization index, Ahmedabad district, Kheda district and Sabarkantha district. Nine urbanization parameters, i.e, Population size, Population density, Educational facilities, Health services, Industries, Electricity facilities, roofing types, assets and % of Built-up area have been investigated in this study to assess the urbanization level of the three districts. The Urbanization index developed in this study can be used to measure the urbanicity of a district and for comparision of the urbanization levels of different districts.

Knowledge of IPM Practices among Cotton Growers of Sabarkantha District; Gujarat, India

Knowledge of IPM Practices among Cotton Growers of Sabarkantha District; Gujarat, India

English

The sustainable livelihood links with security to basic human needs, food security, sustainable agricultural practices and poverty has an integrating concept. A large number of tribal communities are bereft of stable livelihood and thus they fall in the category of the vulnerable section of Indian society. Considering this fact, the study was conducted in Sabarkantha district of North Gujarat region of Gujarat state, as the economy of the district is basically dependent on agriculture. The farmers of Sabarkantha district are also innovative as well as enthusiastic in modern agriculture. Secondly, the districts rank first with respect to the tribal population. Looking to the common situation of the inhabited villages for the tribal and non-tribal farmer, 11 villages of Bhiloda and Meghraj talukas, having scheduled tribal population of 41 to 50 range of percentage were selected purposively. Total 220 farmers were selected from these villages (20 farmers in each village). For measuring the agricultural modernization and sustainable livelihood of the tribal and non tribal farmer&rsquo;s teacher made tests were developed. The thirteen major criteria of agricultural modernization and twelve sub indicators of sustainable livelihood were determined and total 200 score of agricultural modernization and total 300 score of sustainable livelihood was determined by conference method. The results showed that in case of tribal group, there was positively and significant association between the sustainable livelihood and seven criteria for agricultural modernization viz., extent of use of organic fertilizers, farming pattern, seed selection, available modern sources of energy equipments, extent of use of chemical fertilizers, use of plant protection measures and extent of use of improved dairy practices. While in case of non tribal group, all the 13 criteria of agricultural modernization studied were possessed positive and significant association with sustainable livelihood. It indicated the impact of the agricultural modernization on the extent of sustainable livelihood among the non tribal respondents, while it was very low in tribal farmers. &nbsp; Key words: Bereft, modernization, sustainable livelihood, transition.

Impact of a public–private performance-based financing partnership on the proportion of caesarean section deliveries: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChiranjeevi Yojana (CY) is a performance-based financing (PBF) programme in the Indian state of Gujarat that aims to increase access to free delivery care for poor women. The state makes a fixed payment to accredited private hospitals per 100 deliveries performed, regardless of vaginal and caesarean section delivery proportions. CY has been operational for 6 years with over 600 000 women having benefited from the programme. In Gujarat, caesarean sections are higher among private facilities (18%) compared with public facilities (14%). Other PBF programmes report an increase in caesarean sections with improved access to delivery care. The present study compares the proportion of caesarean section deliveries among CY beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in private facilities to study the impact of the programme on the proportion of caesarean section deliveries in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, especially among women who need caesarean section deliveries. MethodsA cross-sectional survey of mothers delivering in 66 high-load (>30 deliveries per 3 months) private facilities (CY and non-CY) was done in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, India in 2012. Demographic and delivery care information was collected in the facilities. Findings224 mothers from 23 CY-accredited facilities and 372 from 43 non-CY facilities were interviewed. Caesarean section rates among CY beneficiaries were 6% (six of 97), compared with 18% (14 of 79) among non-beneficiaries in CY facilities. Non-CY programme mothers were three times more likely to have a caesarean section than were CY mothers, even after controlling for maternal age and antenatal and intranatal complications (odds ratio 3·02, 95% CI 1·06–8·57) in a logistic regression model. InterpretationCaesarean sections among CY beneficiaries were significantly lower than were those among non-beneficiaries in private facilities, contrary to reports from other PBF schemes and proportions in state-run hospitals. The non-differential financing mechanism had an embedded disincentive to prevent the overuse of caesarean section deliveries. Low caesarean section proportions could also possibly be due to the selection of clients by the accredited facilities. Given the size of the programme, it is important to explore if all women with necessary indications receive caesarean sections in the programme. FundingGrant EU FP 7 MATIND from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

Study on Availability of Various Macro and Micro-Minerals in Lactating Buffaloes under Field Conditions of Sabarkantha District of Gujarat

A study was conducted in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat to assess the status of some macro and micro-minerals in lactating buffaloes. Feeds and fodder samples were collected from 17 representative villages of the district for analysis of macro and micro-minerals. Calcium content in cottonseed cake (0.17%), crushed maize (0.03%) and maize cake (0.22%) was found to be below the critical level (0.30%). The phosphorus content in concentrate ingredients was high (0.32-0.67%) but low in dry roughages (0.06-0.20%). Feeds and fodder were found to be adequate in magnesium (0.40%), sodium (0.29%) and potassium (1.15%). Straws were found to be deficient in sulphur (0.16%). Green roughages were good source of copper (12.31 ppm). Wheat straw was found to be low in zinc (19.71 ppm) but comparatively high in manganese (47.88 ppm) and iron (630.24 ppm). Lucerne and chikori green were found to be rich source of cobalt (&gt;0.35 ppm). Selenium (0.68 ppm) was present in appreciable quantities in most of the feedstuffs. Lactating buffaloes were also found to be excess in energy and crude protein (70%), whereas, calcium and phosphorus were deficient in the ration (65%). Ration of lactating buffaloes was found to be deficient in Ca, P, S, Cu, Zn and Co. Supplementing the deficient minerals through area specific mineral mixture could alleviate the deficiency and improve productivity and reproduction efficiency of lactating buffaloes.

Outbreak of hepatitis B in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat: A case-control study

Background: An outbreak of jaundice syndrome was reported from Sabarkantha district of Gujarat in February 2009. Initial investigation of serum specimens collected from the patients was positive for hepatitis B. The outbreak was investigated thoroughly. Materials and Methods: A confirmed case definition was made as a person residing in Sabarkantha district who developed jaundice symptoms with SGPT >400 IU and tested positive for HBsAg. A case-control study was conducted to identify the source of infection and to recommend public health measures. Results: Five-hundred and twenty-eight cases were reported of which, 93 died (Case fatality rate = 17.6%). Majority (61%) were males, and more than 77% were in the age group of 12-45 years. Eighty-four percent reported history of taking injections/needle prick in the last 6 months. In the case-control study there was strong association between cases and history of injection/needle prick (OR = 42.17). Hepatitis B mass vaccination was carried out to control the outbreak. Conclusion: This outbreak of hepatitis-B was associated with unsafe injection practices in private clinics of Sabarkantha district. Sensitization workshop for safe injection practices and waste management held among doctors. Legal actions were taken against the private practitioners involved in these unsafe injection practices.

Unsafe injection practices: A potential weapon for the outbreak of blood borne viruses in the community

Background:Unsafe injection practices are common in developing nations. Such practices, through contaminated needles and syringes, place injection recipient, healthcare workers and the community at large at risk of infection with blood borne viruses.Aim:An attempt was made to briefly describe an acute hepatitis outbreak that occurred in Gujarat, India, due to unsafe injection practices with a brief review of the literature.Subjects and Methods:An outbreak of acute hepatitis occurred in February-March 2009 in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat in India. Blood samples were collected randomly from 25 cases, admitted in the local hospital during the ongoing outbreak. Screening was done using an immunoassay analyzer (Cobas e411; Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgM and total antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBc), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBe, antibodies to HCV, HIV and IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus (HAV), as per the manufacturer's protocol.Results:Gross and continuous use of contaminated needle and syringes were responsible for this outbreak as all the patients gave history of receiving injections about 2-3 months prior to the development of clinical signs and symptoms, from one particular doctor. Mean age of the patients was 33.4 years (SD 12.9 years). Seventeen of these patients were males and eight were females. All patients were hepatitis B surface antigen positive, with median levels as 35,450 IU/mL (IQR 450-2,49,750 IU/mL). IgM HBc was positive in 22/25 (88%). HBe Ag was positive in 11 patients (44%). The median HBV DNA level was 2.6 × 104 IU/mL (IQR 1.18 × 102 to 6.7 × 106 IU/mL). No significant co-infection with other hepatitis viruses existed. All isolates were genotype D.Conclusions:The findings emphasize the role of unsafe injection practices in the community outbreak of hepatitis B infection, need to start routine surveillance system and increase awareness in health care workers regarding safe injection practices.