Gandham Bulliyya

Health status of the elderly population among four primitive tribes of Orissa, India: A clinico-epidemiological study

Primitive tribal groups (PTGs) are the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in India. Clinico-epidemiological studies on morbidity patterns among the elderly primitive tribe members are essential to recommend special intervention programmes to improve the health of the elderly in these communities. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among the elderly populations of four different PTGs, namely Langia Saora (LS), Paudi Bhuiyan (PB), Kutia Kondh (KK) and Dongria Kondh (DK) living in the forests of Orissa, India. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected using standard methods and haemoglobin was estimated by the cyanomethaemoglobin method. The average number of illnesses per person was 3.0. Common disabilities like vision and hearing impairment and mobility-related problems were found in considerable numbers. Gastrointestinal problems like acid peptic disease were found among 2.6% to 20% of cases. Non-specific fever was marked in 10.2% to 24.2% of individuals. The iodine deficiency disorder, namely goitre, was found among 4.2% to 6.0% of individuals. Diseases of the respiratory tract, like upper and lower respiratory tract infection, asthma, tuberculosis and leprosy, were found in small numbers. The prevalence of hypertension among males and females was 31.8% and 42.2%, respectively. The LS had the highest prevalence of hypertension (63% among men and 68% among women). With regard to anaemia status, severe anaemia was marked in 70% of males and 76.7% of females in the LS, while in other groups the prevalence of severe anaemia ranged from 15% to 33%. Although the prevalence of severe anaemia in other tribal communities is lower than in the LS, mild to moderate anaemia was found to range from 60% to 80%. The present study revealed a high prevalence of physical disabilities with both non-communicable as well as communicable diseases among the elderly primitive tribal members. This warrants the implementation of a special health care strategy to reduce suffering at this crucial age and improve quality of life.

Vitamin A status and hematological values in sickle cell disorder cases.

BACKGROUND Sickle cell anemia (SCA), which is an inherited blood disorder characterized primarily by chronic anemia and oxidative stress plays a major role in pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate vitamin A (serum retinol) status and hematological parameters in children with homozygous and heterozygous sickle cell disorders and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS A sample of 80 referred cases (37 sickle cell disorders and 43 normal cases) aged 2-40 years were included in the study. Hematological parameters were measured in cell counter and serum retinol by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS The mean hemoglobin (Hb) and serum retinol were significantly lower among cases with sickle cell disease than in sickle cell trait and normal. Vitamin A deficiency (retinol < 20 μg/dl) reported to be higher in homozygous cases (46.2%) as compared to either heterozygous (29.2%) or control (23.2%) groups. Serum retinol was correlated directly with Hb, RBC count, and hematocrit levels, and inversely with percentage of sickling among sickle cell disorder cases. CONCLUSION The results indicate that deprived vitamin A status with inductive oxidative stress is mainly due to sickling and hemolysis in SCA cases.

Magnitude of Anemia and Hematological Predictors among Children under 12 Years in Odisha, India

Background. Anemia is a wide spread public health problem in India which affects children. The present study evaluates the prevalence of anemia and status of various hematological parameters among children of Khurda district, Odisha. Method. A total of 313 children aged 0–12 years were enrolled for the study which included preschool (0–5 years) and school aged (6–12 years) groups. Hematological indicators were measured by standard procedures, which include red blood cell (RBC) indicators, white blood cell (WBC) indicators, and plasma ferritin. Results. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) of the study population was 10.43 ± 3.33 g/dL and prevalence of anemia was 62%. In this population, boys had a lower mean Hb value than that of the girls. All grades of anemia were higher among school age children than preschool children. Mean plasma ferritin was found to be higher in school age boys than their counterpart girls. The mean level of WBC count was found to be higher among preschool age boys than among the school age boys (p = 0.025). Conclusion. The prevalence of anemia was higher with concomitant acute infection among study population, which is a matter of concern. Since the hematological parameters are interrelated with each other as well as with the age and gender, relevant intervention strategy and constant monitoring are needed while providing public health nutrition programs to eradicate anemia.

Anthropometrically Determined Malnutrition Among Preschool Children in an Integrated Child Development Services Block of Gajapati District, Orissa

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to assess the growth and nutritional status of infants and school children fed ICDS diets and children of whom received ICDS supplementary nutrition. AWC were established with a view to increase the nutritional status among preschool children aged below 6-years. For this study, data has been collected from ICDS Centre in Gumma block of Gajapati district for the year 2001. The data was analyzed statistically and compared with the data available from the state of Orissa. The results indicate that 38.1%, 39.8%, 21.3% and 0.8% of children are normal, grade-I, grade-II and grade-III&IV malnutrition respectively. Out of total 55.6% and 66.7% of infants and preschool children respectively suffer from varying grades of malnutrition. The prevalence is consistently increased with increase in age from 0-6 years. Female children are behind their male peers. Malnutrition among preschool children continue to be the wide prevalent problem and comparable to those of their rural counterparts. The impact of supplementary nutrition programme on young children seems to be negligible in an area with socially deprived groups. In order to achieve the national goals adopted for child development, there is a definite need to further strengthening the existing ICDS system with targeted time-bound objectives.