Mohd Maroof

Dietary diversity and stunting among infants and young children: A cross-sectional study in Aligarh

Context: Child undernutrition is a public health problem in a developing country like India. Dietary diversity is an important immediate determinant of undernutrition. Aims: The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of stunting among infants and young children aged 6–23 months and its association with dietary diversity. Settings and Design: This study was community-based cross-sectional study. It was carried out in the registered families of the Urban Health Training Centre and Rural Health Training Centre, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. Methods: A total of 326 children aged 6–23 months were included in the study. Study tools were predesigned and pretested questionnaire, modified infant and young child feeding practices questionnaire, and infantometer. Systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size technique was utilized to drawn necessary sample size. Statistical analysis: Walds statistics, Z-scores, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression (LR) (stepwise backward LR) were used. Results: The prevalence of stunting in study population was 45.7% (95% CI - 40.1%, 51.1%); moderate stunting was 33.7% (95% CI - 28.8%, 39%); and severe stunting was 12% (95% CI - 8.8%, 16%). The prevalence of stunting was significantly associated with dietary diversity (OR - 0.17, 95% CI - 0.10–0.29) Conclusions: The study concludes that dietary diversity is a significant predictor of stunting. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving dietary diversity should be taken to reduce the burden of stunting among infants and young children.

Locomotor problems among rural elderly population in a District of Aligarh, North India

Introduction: Locomotor functions decline with the age along with other physiological changes. This results in deterioration of the quality of life with decreased social and economic role in the society, as well as increased dependency, for the health care and other basic services. The demographic transition resulting in increased proportion of elderly may pose a burden to the health system. Objectives: To find the prevalence of locomotor problems among the elderly population, and related sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: The study was a community-based cross-sectional study done at field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre, JN Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. A sample of 225 was drawn from 1018 elderly population aged 60 years and above using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size. Sociodemographic characteristics were obtained using pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Locomotor problems were assessed using the criteria used by National Sample Survey Organization. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square test was used to test relationship of locomotor problems with sociodemographic factors. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of locomotor problems among the elderly population was 25.8%. Locomotor problems were significantly associated with age, gender, and working status whereas no significant association with literacy status and marital status was observed. Conclusion: The study concluded that approximately one-fourth of the elderly population suffered from locomotor problems. The sociodemographic factors related to locomotor problems needs to be addressed properly to help them lead an independent and economically productive life.

Complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Context: Complementary feeding practices play an important role in the growth and development of the children. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months and its association with various sociodemographic factors. Settings and Design: The study was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre and Rural Health Training Centre, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Materials and Methods: Mothers of children aged 6–23 months of age interviewed using the infant and young child feeding questionnaire for complimentary feeding indicators, namely, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). The sample size drawn was 326 using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size. Statistical Analysis Used: Walds statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: MDD was adequate in 42.6% children, MMF in 50.9% children, and MAD in 35.6% children. MDD was significantly associated with area of residence, birth order of child, and Standard of living index (SLI); MMF was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, and literacy status of mother; MAD was significantly associated with area of residence, sex of child, birth order of child, and SLI. Conclusion: The study revealed that approximately 50% of mothers practiced inadequate complementary feeding. The feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with various sociodemographic factors highlighting the importance of addressing these factors if we aim an improvement in feeding practices.

Existence of Rule of Halves in Hypertension: an Exploratory Analysis in an Indian Village -

Introduction: India is a country in transition, the population is graying and the non communicable diseases are rising. In the rural areas of India, the detection of hypertension is poor because of limited healthcare facilities and poor awareness among the people. In one such village, Mirzapur, adopted by the Aligarh Muslim University, there is a planned project to control hypertension in the villages through some innovative approaches. This study was the assessment phase of this project for mass management of hypertension to steer and guide the next phase of the project. Aim: The main objectives of this study were: to determine the prevalence of hypertension in residents ≥ 40 years in Mirzapur village, Aligarh, and, to assess the presence of rule of halves in hypertension Results and Discussion: The present study in residents more than 40 years of age in the Mirzapur village in Aligarh found that the prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 41.9%, with a higher prevalence in older age groups. The mean blood pressure of the study population was found to be 100.03±13.17 mm Hg. The high prevalence reported in the present study reflects and reaffirms the increasing trend of hypertension in not only the urban, but also rural India, at least in the older age group. The problem of hypertension, due to its silent and asymptomatic nature, frequently depicts a rule of halves in places with weaker health system and an equally weaker health awareness and information among populations and the same is true for this village. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to conduct similar researches in other adopted villages of the country for the sake of inclusive development to find the exact burden of this silent and asymptomatic killer. More importantly, there is a need to find innovative solutions to combat the problem of hypertension detection and management.

Health problems among the aged: a community based study from urban Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Old age is associated with decline in physical, physiological & cognitive function affecting the quality of life of the elderly population. The robust increase in proportion of elderly has resulted in demographic burden in a developing country like India. To cope up with this burden appropriate & timely intervention is required based on the situational analysis of the health problems faced by the aged population. The objective was to study the prevalence of health problems among elderly population and to find out the relationship of health problems with gender. Methods: This community based observational cross- sectional study was done among 225 individuals aged 60 years & above residing at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre, JN Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. The data was obtained through pretested & predesigned questionnaire by selecting individuals using systematic random sampling with PPS. Data was entered & analysed by SPSS 20. Test of proportions & Chi square test were applied. P value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The present study revealed that the most prevalent problem was cataract (78.2%), followed by depression (35.6%), refractive error (27.6%), locomotor problem (21.3%) and hearing loss (13.8%). The prevalence of hearing loss was significantly related to gender. Conclusions: The study shows that elderly suffers from various physical and mental health problems which shows the need of comprehensive health service to address these problems.

An epidemiological study of cataract among elderly population in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Cataract is one of the major causes of avoidable blindness in India. The burden of cataract among the elderly population needs to be assessed therefor, the study was planned to find the prevalence of cataract among the elderly population, and related socio-demographic factors. Methods: The study was a community-based cross-sectional study done at field practice area of rural health training centre and urban health training centre, J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. A sample of 550 was taken from the registered elderly population aged 60 years and above using systematic random sampling with PPS. Socio- demographic characteristics was obtained using pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Cataract was identified with the help of torch light examination of lens. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Tests of proportion (Wald’s method to calculate confidence interval) and chi-square test was used. P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The prevalence of cataract in the study population was 72.1% (95% CI- 68.3%, 75.8%) which was significantly associated with age, marital status, type of family & working status. Conclusions: The study concluded that approx. three- fourth of elderly population had cataract which was significantly associated with various socio- demographic factors. Therefore, these factors need to be addressed to reduce the burden of cataract among elderly population.