Factors associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight: a study from rural Maharashtra, India

Background: Although preterm delivery and low birth weight (LBW) have been studied in India, findings may not be generalisable to rural areas such as the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. There is limited information available on maternal and child health indicators from this region. We aimed to present some local estimates of preterm delivery and LBW in the Osmanabad district of Marathwada and assess available maternal risk factors. Methods: The study used routinely collected data on all in-hospital births in the maternity department of Halo Medical Foundation’s hospital from 1 (st )January 2008 to 31 (st )December 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analysis provided odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for preterm delivery and LBW according to each maternal risk factor. Results: We analysed 655 live births, of which 6.1% were preterm deliveries. Of the full term births (N=615), 13.8% were LBW (<2.5 kilograms at birth). The odds of preterm delivery were three times higher (OR=3.23, 95% CI 1.36 to 7.65) and the odds of LBW were double (OR=2.03, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.60) among women <22 years of age compared with older women. The odds of both preterm delivery and LBW were reduced in multigravida compared with primigravida women regardless of age. Anaemia (Hb<11g/dl), which was prevalent in 91% of women tested, was not significantly related to these birth outcomes. Conclusions: The odds of preterm delivery and LBW were much higher in mothers under 22 years of age in this rural Indian population. Future studies should explore other related risk factors and the reasons for poor birth outcomes in younger mothers in this population, to inform the design of appropriate public health policies that address this issue

Original Article . STUDY OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF BURN CASES ADMITTED IN SHRI CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ GENERAL HOSPITAL, SOLAPUR

ABSTRACT The problem of burn in developing countries like India is more due to various socio-cultural factors present in the country. The study was aimed to find the distribution, determinants, outcome and psychological effect of burns. The present hospital based descriptive study was carried out in surgery ward of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, General Hospital Solapur, to know socio -demographic profile, duration of stay and outcome of burn. All cases of burns admitted in Hospital during study period (September 2000 to August 2001) were the study subjects. More than half were in the age group between 21 and 40 years. More than two third were females. Rural patients outnumbered urban patients. Majority of patients were unemployed and among unemployed majority of patients were housewives. 40% patients were literate. Majority of the cases were from class IV (Upper Lower) socioeconomic group. Majority of patients (37.78%) were admitted during winter season. Maximum number of burns occurred between 5pm and 11 pm. Majority of burns (97.56%) took place at home. 79.33% of burns were accidental. 36% patients had hospital stay less than one day. Among 450 cases, 65.78% died, 16.44% were discharged against medical advic

Clinico-epidemiological study of burn patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital of Solapur, Western Maharashtra

Background: Burn injuries constitute a major public health problem and account for a significant cause of high mortality and morbidity amongst the Indian population. This results in heavy social, economic and clinical burden to the nation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of burns patients admitted in a tertiary care center and to study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of burn patients and to assess the outcome of burn patients.Methods: Hospital based descriptive study with cross sectional design was done using the records of all burn patients admitted in burn ward of surgery department during 1st January 2019 to December 31st 2019.Results: Burn injuries were most common in the age group of 41-60 years. The male to female ratio was 0.65: 1. Most of the burn incident took place in rural area (73%) and rest (27%) in urban area. Most of the mode of burn injury (88.7%) were accidental burns, 8.2% had alleged history of suicide and in rest 3.1% homicide was suspected. Mortality ratio was 33.30% and 66.70% of patients got discharged from the hospital. A higher TBSA involvement is statistically associated with an increased risk of mortality (p&lt;0.05).Conclusions: The prevention strategies for burns should address the hazards of specific burn injuries, awareness education for vulnerable population and targeted first aid training. The burn units should be established well to reduce the mortality.</jats:p

Study Of Socio-Demographic Profile of Burn Cases Admitted in Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj General Hospital, Solapur

The problem of burn in developing countries like India is more due to various socio-cultural factors present in the country. The study was aimed to find the distribution, determinants, outcome and psychological effect of burns. The present hospital based descriptive study was carried out in surgery ward of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, General Hospital Solapur, to know socio – demographic profile, duration of stay and outcome of burn. All cases of burns admitted in Hospital during study period (September 2000 to August 2001) were the study subjects. More than half were in the age group between 21 and 40 years. More than two third were females. Rural patients outnumbered urban patients. Majority of patients were unemployed and among unemployed majority of patients were housewives. 40% patients were literate. Majority of the cases were from class IV (Upper Lower) socioeconomic group. Majority of patients (37.78%) were admitted during winter season. Maximum number of burns occurred between 5pm and 11 pm. Majority of burns (97.56%) took place at home. 79.33% of burns were accidental. 36% patients had hospital stay less than one day. Among 450 cases, 65.78% died, 16.44% were discharged against medical advice

Knowledge, attitude and preventive behaviours regarding COVID-19 infection among medical students of Solapur, Maharashtra

Background: It is important for medical students to know about COVID-19 in order for them to be a well-versed future health workers.  The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 infection among medical students at government medical college in western Maharashtra. To study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 infection among medical students and to find the association between KAP levels and demographic variables.Methods: An observational descriptive study with cross sectional design was conducted during July 2021 on 400 Under Graduate medical students of a Government medical college.Results: Out of 400 students 53%- female (212); 47%- male (188). Most of the students belong to Hindu religion 86.75% (347), rest Muslim 39 (9.75%), Christians 14 (3.5%). Overall, 92%, 81%, 90.5% of surveyed medical students had adequate knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID 19 pandemic respectively.Conclusions: In our study, students exhibited good knowledge, positive attitude, and sensible practices regarding COVID-19. Such KAP studies should be conducted across other medical college and we should educate our medical students so that we can use the help of medical students for management of mild covid cases if manpower crisis occurs.</jats:p

Prevalence of tobacco consumption and its determinants in the adult population in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Center: Acommunity based cross-sectional study

Background: The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats, which is believed to cause six million deaths a year. The present study was planned to estimate tobacco consumption prevalence and its determinants in an adult population. Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in an adult population residing in the urban slum area of Urban Health Training Center from January 2021 to March 2021. Sample size was estimated as 226. Data was collected using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: In the present study prevalence of tobacco consumption in any form was found as 22.41%. Further history was available from 226 participants, one from a family chosen randomly. Mean age of participants was 40.3 years with SD±15 years. Maximum participants i.e., 112 (49%) consuming tobacco were engaged in unskilled occupation. The most common reason for initiating tobacco was fun and curiosity in 89 (38%) participants. Maximum participants 138 (61%) consumed tobacco 1-5 times daily. About 21% of participants had made efforts to quit tobacco. Conclusion: In the present study prevalence of tobacco consumption was considerable in the adult population. About 40% of participants did not know about the adverse effects of tobacco, two-thirds of participants were willing to quit tobacco, while only 21.23% have made efforts to quit tobacco. The study highlights the need of tobacco cessation intervention.</jats:p

Assessment of Substance Use and Attitude Towards Internship among Intern Doctors in Maharashtra

"Introduction: Substance use (SU) among medical students is well-known phenomenon. It may affect learning capabilities in medical students and the quality of health care offered to the patients may be hampered. This study was conducted in order to assess the SU among medical students and to study their attitude towards internship. Methods:- Descriptive Study was conducted at Dr. V M Govt. Medi-cal College, Solapur Maharashtra, India. A pretested, anonymous semi open-ended questionnaire was administered to intern doctors. For this study we included all passed out final year MBBS students from a single class. Response rate was 88%. So the final sample was come out to 76 intern doctors. Appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: the most frequently used substance among intern doctors was alcohol consumption (18.42%), followed by cigarette smoking (10.53%) and tobacco chewing (5.27%).The attitude of most of the intern doctors (90.79%) was towards preparation of postgraduate medical entrance examination. also their choice of post graduation course was clinical branch (96.05%). Conclusion: - The most commonly used substance among medical students was alcohol and cigarette smoking. The attitude of the intern doctors was towards preparation of postgraduate medical entrance examination. " [Natl J Community Med 2016; 7(2.000): 88-91