Dipesh Parmar

Study on obesity and Influence of dietary factors on the weight status of an adult population in Jamnagar city of Gujarat: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic diseases. Dietary factors are the major modifiable factors through which many of the external forces promoting weight gain act. Objectives: The objectives were to find the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the urban population of Jamnagar and to explore the effect of dietary factors on the weight status of the people. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the adult population of Jamnagar city. Cluster sampling technique was used to select study samples. Data were collected in a prestructured questionnaire by interviewing subjects through house-to-house visits. Data were analyzed in Epi Info and appropriate statistical methods were used. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 22.04% and 5.20%, respectively. Overweight was more prevalent in females than males. The prevalence rose with an increase in age up to 60 years. Among dietary factors, the total calorie intake and habit of snacking had a positive association with weight gain (P < 0.05). The mean intake of oil was more and the mean intake of vegetables was less among overweight subjects than nonoverweight subjects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the urban population in Jamnagar was found to be 22.04% and 5.20%, respectively. Total calorie intake as well as composition of diet was the important dietary factor affecting weight gain.

Unsafe injection practices: An occupational hazard for health care providers and a potential threat for community: A detailed study on injection practices of health care providers

Background: In developing countries, unsafe injection practices are widely prevalent which invites potential risk to them and to the community also. Recent outbreaks of blood borne viruses (BBVs) in India were mainly due to unsafe injections use. Aims: This study was aimed to carry out detailed observation on injection practices and prevalence of needle stick injuries among the health care providers. Settings and Design: A cross-section observational study was conducted in Government Institutes by simple random sampling of a district of Gujarat. The sample size of study subject was 251 varying from female health workers, staff nurses, medical officers, internees, lab technicians and PG residents of Government Institutes. Materials and Methods: The study subjects were selected by simple random sampling as per their population proportion to the size. The criteria were set to stamp the unsafe injection practices and the consent was obtained from the respected authorities and detailed analysis was performed. Statistical Analysis: The frequency distribution, Chi-square and odds ratio analysis were done in SPSS 17 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Results: The study revealed, majority subjects were observed with the needle touching non-sterilized places accounted 64.14% unsafe injections. During the study, it was found that, out of 161 who were practicing unsafe injection methods had proportion of injuries was 65% (104/161) with significant association.( P Conclusions: There had been constant break in aseptic environment, which may harm health care providers and improper behavior may transmit BBVs infections to community. Hands on training, infection control measure, implementation of rational drug/injection policy, surveillance with immediate response system are the need to tackle this future threat.

A Study on Perception of Health Care Workers In Relation To HIV/AIDS in Jamnagar District -

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 2.5% of HIV cases among healthcare workers worldwide are due to result of such exposures. While treating HIV positive patients or persons with unknown status and with high risk behavior, health professionals are at risk of getting HIV/AIDS at every stage as one of the occupational hazards. Aim: The perceptions in relation with prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst health care workers. Materials and Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional observational study carried out among 100 PG students, 50 medical officers, 210 nurses, 40 lab technicians and 100 primary health workers from district hospital as well as from peripheral CHCs and PHCs. Multistage stratified random sampling was done. Data was analyzed by Epi Info software. Results: The overall percentage of health functionaries having faith in Universal Precautions as a preventive tool in present study was 75%.Of those who had knowledge about Universal Precautions; only 49.45% of the PG students, 22% of the Medical officers, 28.3% of the Nurses, 17.40% of the Lab. technicians and 33.3% of the Health workers had favored using Universal Precautions with each patient. Conclusion: At the end of the study we can be able to find out various false perceptions and beliefs amongst health care worker in relation to prevention of HIV/AIDS at day to day work. Supportive supervision and onsite training and corrections are needed. Periodic Joint Training particularly in practical aspect for all level of health care workers is need of hour.

Current scenario of malarial trends in Jamnagar district: a cross-sectional study -

Background: Malaria is one of the major public health problems in India. In the year 2012, across the globe, there were 40 million confirmed malaria cases and 106,887 confirmed malaria deaths. In the year 2012, India had 1.07 million confirmed malaria cases and provisional 519 malaria deaths. In the last 5 years, trends of India are showing that total number of malaria cases, P. falciparum cases, and deaths are reduced. In the study district, 3,328 total malaria cases and 519 P. falciparum cases were noted in the year 2008. The study district is one of the endemic regions of the country. Keeping in view the abovestated problem, there is a need to know the current scenario of malarial trends in Jamnagar district. This might help in introducing new policy and help to focus on demanding areas. Objective: To know the current scenario of malarial morbidity and mortality in Jamnagar district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of the study district. Of the total talukas in the study district, one PHC was selected from each taluka by simple random sampling technique. Result: In this study, total malaria cases were showing a gradual decrease in trend from the period 2009 to 2013. P. falciparum malaria cases were showing a gradual decrease in trend from the period 2009 to 2012. One upsurge of total malaria cases was noted from 2009 to 2010, and P. falciparum malaria cases were noted in the year 2013. In study district, no death was reported owing to P. vivax malaria. Malarial mortality owing to P. falciparum malaria was reported in the study district. Conclusion: In this study, malarial morbidity showing declining trend for last 5 years but one upsurge for both total malaria cases and P. falciparum cases was noted. Malarial morbidity owing to P. falciparum malaria was showing rising trend—a concerning finding of study. There were five deaths reported owing to P. falciparum malaria in the year 2009 and 2010. There is no single death owing to P. vivax malaria reported.

The burden of unintended pregnancies: a cross sectional study

Background: Even though family planning methods and various health services are available, there is little increase in couple protection rate. The unintended pregnancy may end in termination of pregnancy of a birth of a child contributing to population explosion. Identifying the prevalence of termination of pregnancy and factors associated with the termination of pregnancy among reproductive age group women could help in determination as well as bridging the gap. Objective: The primary objective was to find out the prevalence of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and factors related with MTP in rural community. The secondary objective was to explore obstetric profile, to find out any association of obstetric profile and MTP. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based observational study was conducted among 450 reproductive age group women in a study district by multistage sampling. Each participant was interviewed in detail following written informed consent. Result: Prevalence of MTP in this study was 21.88%. The high prevalence of unmet need of contraception was 42.88%, with various reasons. Most of the CPR is contributed by permanent method of contraceptives. It was found that 33.6% women had three or more children. Initial conceptions were not intended by the women. Conclusion: There is need to counsel women of reproductive age group that MTP is not a way to control unwanted birth and it is not free from risk. They should be motivated for various methods of contraception.

Assessment of utilization of child health services (under RCH program) and incorrect practices related to perinatal events in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, India -

Background: India contributes to 25% of the over 6.9 million under-five deaths occurring worldwide every year with nearly half of them in neonatal period .This study is related indirectly with the causes of U5MR (e.g. Neonatal sepsis, prematurity-LBW) through focusing on service utilization related to perinatal events & incorrect practices of essential Newborn care (e.g. initiation of breast feeding and exclusive breastfeeding). Objectives: (1) Assess utilization of child health services related to perinatal events (2) Assess incorrect practices related to perinatal events (3) Assess effect of demographic variables on service utilization and association of these variables with practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 children (12 to 59 months) was done using multistage sampling technique in Jamnagar district. 120 children were selected from urban and 280 from rural areas as urban: rural ratio is 3:7 in India. Results: 93.55% children having umbilical infection. Birth weights were taken in majority of children (95.75%), 15.83% of those weighed were having low birth weight (LBW). Application on umbilical cord after birth was seen in 10.25% & prelacteal feed in about 1/3 rd children. Breastfeeding immediately or within 4 hours after birth was seen in 3/4 th , exclusive breastfeeding in 2/3 rd children. Conclusions: Children having umbilical infection were treated indicating better utilization of curative services. Taking of birth weights in majority of children indicating good functioning of healthcare professionals but some of those weighed were having low birth weight (LBW) indicating underutilization of preventive-antenatal services indirectly affecting child health. Incorrect practices like application on umbilical cord after birth and prelacteal feed were seen in children. Recommended practices like breastfeeding immediately or within 4 hours after birth, exclusive breastfeeding were seen in children. Colostrum giving was more prevalent and low birth weight was less prevalent in rural areas compared to urban areas which indicated better health care utilization in rural areas.