Meenakshi Bhilwar

Prevalence of reproductive tract infections and their determinants in married women residing in an urban slum of North-East Delhi, India

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) have adverse implications on the health of the women. Community-based studies in India have shown a high prevalence of RTIs but here is a lack of sizeable literature from urban slums and resettlement areas. Aims and Objectives: The objective was to document the prevalence and determinants of RTIs in married women (15-49 years) residing in an urban slum in Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in an urban resettlement colony of Gokulpuri in the North-East district of Delhi. Systematic random sampling method was adopted to choose the study subjects, that is, married and non-pregnant women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) residing in the study area. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire, through the house to house visits. The diagnosis of RTIs was made as per the World Health Organization syndromic approach. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 802 women were interviewed. The mean age of study subjects was 30.79 ± 7 years. A total of 352 (43.9%) women currently had symptoms of RTIs. The most frequently reported symptoms included abdominal pain (68.2%), back pain (69.6%), and vaginal discharge (59.3%). Older women (≥25 years) (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.4-3.5), those belonging to the lower socioeconomic status (OR 2.1, 95% CI; 1.5-2.9), those using cloth during menses (OR 2.6, 95% CI; 1.6-4.3), those having more than three pregnancies (OR 1.8, 95% CI; 1.2-2.6) and those using an intrauterine contraceptive device (OR 11.8, 95% CI; 4.3-32.0) had higher odds of having RTIs. Conclusions: A high case load was found based on the syndromic approach. Generating community awareness, ensuring proper menstrual hygiene, and improving the socioeconomic status would help in reducing the cases of RTI.

The Role of Maternal Diet and Iron-folic Acid Supplements in Influencing Birth Weight: Evidence from India's National Family Health Survey

AIM To examine the role of maternal diet in determining low birth weight (LBW) in Indian infants. METHODS Data from the National Family Health Survey (2005-06) were used. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of maternal diet on infant birth weight. RESULTS Infants whose mothers consumed milk and curd daily [odds ratio (OR), 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.29]; fruits daily (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) or weekly (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24) had higher odds of not having a low birth weight baby. The daily consumption of pulses and beans (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36) increased the odds while weekly consumption of fish (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.89) decreased the odds of not having a LBW infant. Intake of iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy increased birth weight by 6.46 g per month. CONCLUSION Improved intake of micronutrient-rich foods can increase birth weight.

An Assessment of facilities and services at Anganwadi centers under the Integrated Child Development Service scheme in Northeast District of Delhi, India

OBJECTIVE The current study was aimed to assess the facilities and services being provided at the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) by the Anganwadi workers with regards to the norms laid down by Integrated Child development Service (ICDS) scheme, with special emphasis on the children of 0-6 years of age. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING A resettlement colony of North-West District of Delhi, having a population of hundred thousand. PARTICIPANTS A total of 41 AWCs were present in the study area and were included in our study. The Anganwadi workers at these AWCs were interviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome measures were the facilities present at the AWCs and knowledge of Anganwadi workers regarding the services to be provided and revised supplementary nutrition norms laid down by ICDS. RESULTS The AWCs in the area were covered under three projects namely Project A, B and C consisting of 18, 9 and 14 AWCs, respectively. The mean room size for all the AWCs was 108.97 ± 62.18 square feet. A weighing machine was present in 29 (70.7%) of the AWCs. Growth charts for growth monitoring of children were present in 28 (68.3%) of AWCs. A drug kit was not present in 14 (34.1%) of the 41 AWCs. The mean number of children of 0-3 years enrolled per AWC was 45.78 ± 14.07. However, the mean number of children present at the time of the visit at the AWCs was 6.24 ± 5.39. Knowledge of Anganwadi workers regarding revised norms for calorie and protein for beneficiaries was found to be poor. CONCLUSION This study showed a lack of facilities at the AWCs and poor knowledge of Anganwadi workers. Thus a regular training and supportive supervision of the Anganwadi workers is recommended along with the availability of adequate facilities and infrastructures.

Knowledge assessment regarding poliomyelitis among the caregivers of children who received oral polio vaccine reveals lack of awareness of the vaccine vial monitor (VVM): Implications extending beyond polio eradication

Vaccine vial monitor (VVM) is now commonly used for vaccines that are included in the National Immunization Schedule in India. It helps to indicate the viability of the vaccine and of the proper functioning of the cold chain. This is useful as it prevents health personnel from administering damaged vaccine. Studies have shown a lack of awareness of health workers regarding the use and interpretation of a VVM. The current study, undertaken among the caregivers of children who were immunized, showed that this lack of information about the VVM also exists among the caregivers. This deficiency in knowledge, both in the health workers and the caregivers, can affect the health of the child and needs urgent attention.

Prevalence of induced abortions and contraceptive use among married women in an urban slum of Delhi, India

To document abortion practices and contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in an urban slum of Delhi.