Farhad Ahamed

Acceptance rate, probability of follow-up, and expulsion of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device offered at two primary health centers, North India

Introduction: Acceptance rate of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) offered through a public health approach is unknown. Our aim was to describe the acceptance rate, expulsion, and follow-up and factors associated with it when PPIUCD was offered to women delivering at two primary health centers (PHCs). Methods: We analyzed routine health data of deliveries at two PHCs in district Faridabad, India between May and December 2014, having sociodemographic variables, obstetric history, and during the follow-up check-up at 6-weeks postpartum for in situ status of intrauterine contraceptive device, side effects, and complications. Results: The overall acceptance rate among those eligible for PPIUCD was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.1–42.9). Independent predictor of acceptance was a monthly family income of <USD75

Directly observed iron supplementation for control of iron deficiency anemia

(odds ratio [O.R.]: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.58–3.31). The expulsion rate, and removal rate at 6 weeks postpartum was 18.0% and 13.0%, respectively. Expulsion by 6 weeks was associated with, age >25 years (O.R.: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.03–4.73), gravida ≥4 (O.R.: 4.01, 95% CI: 1.28–12.56), and a living previous-child (O.R.: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.04–2.19). Conclusion: Acceptance rate of PPIUCD was higher than that reported in literature. Women from lower income family, having at least one living child, and having attended antenatal care clinic were more likely to accept PPIUCD.

Partnerships for organizing blood donation camp: An experience from rural North India

Anemia is major public health problem affecting 1.6 billion people worldwide. The poor compliance of iron supplementation remains main contributor for high prevalence of anemia. The current paper reviewed the effectiveness of direct observation of oral iron supplementation on anemia. A systematic search was performed through electronic databases and local libraries. Search strategies used subject headings and key words “directly observed” and “iron supplementation.” Searches were sought through April 2014. A total of 14 articles were included in the study. Findings were presented in three categories. First, all of those reported an improvement in compliance of iron supplementation. Second, reduction in the prevalence of anemia was reported by all and third, all except one reported increased blood hemoglobin level. Directly observed an iron supplementation is an effective approach for prevention and management of anemia in vulnerable groups. However, larger trials are needed before concluding that scaling up directly observed iron supplementation through community health volunteers would be beneficial.

Acute morbidity profile and treatment seeking behaviour among people residing in an urban resettlement colony in Delhi, India

Background: Rural areas pose challenges for motivating villagers to donate blood. We organized a blood donation camp in a rural setting by engaging multiple stakeholders. We examined the factors that influenced blood donation. Methods: Local level stakeholders were involved in planning of the camp. Mobilization of donors was attempted through intensive awareness generation activities utilizing multiple channels. A list of willing blood donors was prepared. Results: Out of 152 willing donors, 88 reported to donation camp, and after screening, 67 donated the blood. Most of the willing donors were males (89.8%), and the mean standard deviation age was 31.9 (9.4) years. Deferral rate was 23.8%. Involvement of local stakeholders can result in creating a pool of donors in rural area which can mitigate the existing gap between demand and supply of blood in India.

Effect of intravenous iron sucrose on hemoglobin level, when administered in a standard-dose, to anemic pregnant women in rural Northern India

Background Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially among urban poor population. In the absence of a well-functioning three tier health care system in urban India, health needs of urban poor are rarely fulfilled. The objective of this study was to assess primary health care services utilization pattern and its associated selected socio-demographic determinants in an urban population of Dakshinpuri Extension, South-east district of Delhi. Materials and Methods A community based cross-sectional study was done from November 2013 to November 2014 with a sample size of 440 households through simple random sampling. Information was obtained regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and morbidity pattern of all the members of household in the preceding one year of the conduct of the present study through a pretested semi structured interview schedule. Association of various socio-demographic characteristics with primary and secondary health care facilities utilisation was studied with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results In this study, 42% of the household members suffered from acute illnesses and symptoms in the preceding one year. Secondary/tertiary health care facilities were approached mostly for seeking treatment. Majority of the household members sought treatment from private health care facilities. Significantly higher utilisation of secondary/tertiary health care facilities was found by head of households and household members who are married. Conclusion Primary health care system needs to be revamped to improve healthcare delivery among urban population. Strategies to decongest secondary/tertiary health care facilities in urban India needs focus.

Comparative morbidity profile of patients attending an Ayurveda clinic and a modern medicine clinic of a primary health center in rural Haryana, India

Introduction: To combat anemia among pregnant women, in Haryana, Northern India, administration of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) was initiated in 2014 as a public-health measure. We assessed the effect of IVIS on hemoglobin (Hb) levels among the pregnant anemic women. Methods: Pregnant women identified as moderately or severely anemic (Hb <10.0 g/dL) in the second or third trimester during routine antenatal care were prescribed IVIS in a standard-dose of 400 mg given as 100 mg on alternate days. Neither dose calculation, nor allowance for iron-store, was included in this study. We analyzed the data collected between June 2014 and December 2015, at the two primary-health-centers, on Hb level (by HemoCue method) before start of the therapy (baseline), and 4-week or more after the last infusion (endline). Results: A total of 990 women received IVIS. Both baseline and endline Hg-levels were available for 763 (77%), who were included in the analysis. At baseline, the proportion of moderate and severe anemia was 87.94% and 12.06%, respectively. Mean (standard deviation)-Hb increased from 7.85 g/dL (0.80) at baseline, to 9.62 g/dL (1.30) at endline, with a mean increase of 1.76 g/dL (95% confidence interval 1.67, 1.85). The mean increase in Hb-level for pregnant women who had severe and moderate anemia at baseline was 2.54 g/dL and 1.65 g/dL, respectively. Overall, 15.33% of women achieved normal Hb-level by the time of endline measurement. No serious adverse reactions were reported during the observation period. Conclusion: Mean increase in Hb-level was 1.76 mg/dL. Severely anemic pregnant women had larger increase in Hb-level when compared with pregnant women with moderate anemia.

Author's reply: Directly observed iron supplementation for control of iron deficiency anemia

Context: There is a paucity of data on the profile of patients accessing traditional systems of medicine. A comparison of profile of patients attending an Ayurveda clinic with that of modern medicine clinic will help in better understanding of utilization of services and preference for system of medicine by the patients seeking health care. Aim: The aim was to study the morbidity profile of patients who attended the Ayurveda clinic of a primary health center (PHC) in rural Haryana over 1 year and compared it with that of the modern medicine clinic attendees at the same facility. Materials and Methods: The study site was PHC, Dayalpur in block Ballabgarh, district Faridabad, Haryana, India. All new patients who attended the Ayurveda clinic of PHC Dayalpur in the year 2012 were included in the study. New attendees of modern medicine clinic of the same PHC in the year 2012 were used for comparison of profile of patients. Results: In year 2012, of the total new patients registered at PHC, 26% attended Ayurveda clinic. The male-to-female ratio (0.8:1) was similar in both clinics. The representation of children up to 5 years and elderly was significantly higher (12.0% vs. 6.7% and 19.5% vs. 11.0%) in modern medicine clinic as compared to Ayurveda clinic. The most common morbidities seen in Ayurveda clinic were twak vikar or skin disease (12.3%), sandhivata or osteoarthritis (10.3%), and kasa or cough (8.5%). Three most common morbidities in modern medicine clinic were acute respiratory infection (35.7%), hypertension (10.6%), and acute febrile illness (9.2%). Conclusions: The study provided evidence that Ayurveda was popular among rural population in North India. Therefore, the Government of Indias initiative of setting up Ayurveda clinic in PHCs is well founded.

Road Transport in Urban India: Its Implications on Health.

Sir, We appreciate that the reader’s letter[1] has taken great interest in this topic of paramount public health concern in developing countries. It is evident that there are multiple reasons behind iron deficiency anemia in population. The reader described such an interesting and important aspect of iron deficiency anemia. As such cases present atypical presentation of iron deficiency anemia with an infrequent history of chronic urticaria.