Background: Sex ratio, an important social indicator measuring extent of prevailing equity between males and females in society. Aims & Objective: To find out awareness regarding sex determination and attitude towards gender preference among pregnant women. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based, descriptive study was undertaken among pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic. Information recorded regarding on the sociodemographic factors viz. education of study subjects, socioeconomic status; residence (rural / urban); religion and type of family etc. Information was also collected on the obstetric details. Socioeconomic status of family was calculated by using modified BG Prasad Classification. Views of pregnant women regarding awareness of sex determination and attitudes toward gender preference and female feticide were also recorded. Results: Total 840 pregnant women were interviewed during study period. It was observed that 622 (74%) pregnant women aware about availability of sex determination facility. Among all 496 (59.05%) had knowledge about the method of sex determination. In our study 294 (35%) of pregnant women gave preference to male child. A preference to male child was significantly associated with education of mother, socioeconomic class and sex of the last child whereas insignificant association with religion and gravida of women. Conclusion: Awareness regarding availability of sex determination facility and different methods of sex determination was found to be raised, but it is still not reflected in attitude and practice. This situation calls for two pronged strategy i.e. by women empowerment and by ensuring effective implementation of PCPNDT Act so that families found it difficult to undertake sex determination and selective abortions.
Background: Hand washing with soap is a cost-effective tool of disease prevention, but most of the time it is overlooked. Use of contaminated hands enhances transmission of germs into body causing ill-health. Mothers clean, prepare, serve and feed the food. If this is coupled with poor knowledge and practice of hand washing it increases risk to spread of diseases to self, other family members especially to under-fives. Present study was conducted to address this issue being a critical factor in disease prevention. The objective of the present study was to determine the knowledge and practices of hand washing amongst mothers of under-fives.Methods: Present cross sectional study was conducted at UHTC, field practice area of Community Medicine, GMC, Latur amongst mothers of under-fives visiting UHTC to avail health services. The data was collected in a predesigned, pretested questionnaire by interviewing them.Results: Out of 204 mothers, 38.24% were from the age group of 24-26 and majority i.e., 69.61% were housewives. 99.02% mothers were aware that unwashed hands can transmit the diseases. Most of the mothers told that clean hands reduces food and water contamination. Maximum i.e., 97.57% mothers washed hands before eating and 71.57% washed before cooking. All the mothers washed hands after visiting toilet. Most mothers used soap and water (85.3%) for hand washing. Significant numbers of mothers, under-fives and other members suffered from diarrhea in last six months (p<0.05).Conclusions: Hand washing practices need to be followed at all critical moments for prevention of the faeco-oral infections.
Background: Mother's milk is the best gift nature has provided. Practicing exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the simplest, healthiest and least expensive feeding method that fulfills the infant's needs for nutrition and growth. Breast feeding is a common practice in India but factors influences breast feeding practice such as gender inequity, lack of knowledge, social pressure, pre-lacteal feed, illness among the lactating mother etc. Study of socio demographic factors and pattern of breast feeding and weaning practices in urban field practice area. Methods: A cross-section study was conduct in Urban Health Center of Govt. medical college and hospital of Ambajogai, Maharashtra. Mothers who are having a child between 0-24 months of age of both sexes were included in this study and interviewed. Results: Out of 193 women's, most of the mothers were aged less than 25 years (78.04%) and were Hindus (73.9%). Most were illiterate (68.30) and belonged to the class V (97.5%), majority were housewives (99.1%) and multiparous (68.2%). Most had initiated breastfeeding (78.8%) within 24 hours of delivery. About 15.4% of the infants did not receive colostrums and 22.8% of the infants were not exclusively breastfed. Ghutti (water mixed with honey and herbs), boiled water, tea, and animal milk were commonly used pre-lacteal feeds. Conclusions: Despite higher rates of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding, awareness of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Indicates need to promote awareness of the correct method of infant feeding and care of the newborn.
Background: Low birth weight is single most important factor determining the survival chances of the child. A high percentage of low birth weight points to deficient health status of pregnant women, inadequate prenatal care and the need for improved care of the newborn. Present hospital based study was undertaken to identify the maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight babies.Methods: The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries. Data was analysed by using SPSS 16.0 version.Results: The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in primipara mothers (25.53%). The percentage of low birth weight babies was high (34.56%) when pregnancy interval was 1 year. Percentage of low birth weight was maximum among mothers with no antenatal visits (42.93%). Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (38.75%) in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets. Percentage of low birth weight babies was higher (35.62%) among mothers who had antenatal history of radiological exposure. Percentage of low birth weight babies was more (30.27%) in mothers who received inadequate afternoon rest.Conclusions: In our study low birth weight was commonly observed in primipara mothers, pregnancy interval less than a year, mothers with no antenatal visits, in mothers who had not consumed iron and folic acid tablets and with history of radiological exposure.
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