Sartaj Ahmad

Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight Neonates in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Northern India

Low birth weight is influenced by many socio-economic factors like habitat, urban or rural, education, birth order, substance abuse by mother, religion and caste, age of mother nutritional status of mother, Body Mass Index, Hemoglobin level etc., quality of ante-natal care received (ANC) and spacing of pregnancies. Low birth weight babies pose challenge to the families and communities. They contribute major share in perinatal and neonatal mortality and also towards mental, physical and development challenges in pediatric population. Objective: To assess the impact of maternal social factors on the birth weight of newborn. Study setting: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital attached to Subharti medical college of Meerut District. Study design: Hospital based Cross sectional study. Study population: 325 women delivering live infants in the study setting. Study period: Six months i.e. from January 2011 to June 2011. Material and methods: All 325 mothers who delivered live infants in a tertiary care hospital attached to Subharti medical college, Meerut District were interviewed. Data was collected on a structured, pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and the results were expressed as proportions. Results: The overall prevalence of LBW neonates was 32.3%. Majority (71.42%) of mothers was living in rural areas and 52.39% of the mothers belonged to joint families. 52.39% of the mothers were illiterate. Majority of mothers (76.19%) were housewives and their socio-economic status was IVth class (47.61%). The highest prevalence of LBW was found among mothers aged 5 (23.80%). Conclusion: Birth weight remained an important factor affecting the neonatal infant and childhood mortality and morbidity. Low birth weight babies are more likely to have disabilities in four of developmental delay, poor growth and mental disabilities. For reducing the prevalence of low birth weight, public health strategy needs to focus attention on better maternal nutrition and education.

A Study on Neonatal Dermatosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Uttar Pradesh India

The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of both physiological and pathological cutaneous lesions in first seven days of life in a tertiary care hospital of western uttar pradesh. Overall 500 neonates either inborn or attending paediatric opd/ clinic and delivered in the hospital were included in the study. The study took 6 months, consent from parents of those neonates were taken. Clinical examination, dermatological examinations were carried out to check their eligibility to enter this study and to diagnose the skin lesions. Consultations to dermatologists were done in the beginning of the study, especially, in the doubtful cutaneous lesions. Skin lesions were present in 476 (95.2%) neonates. Of these 6O neonates (12%) have pathological lesions, 430(86%) had only physiological lesion, while 14 neonates (2.8%) had both physiological and pathological lesions. Of physiological lesions epstein pearls were most common (78%) second most common lesion was mongolion spots (65%), desquamation was seen in 52% cases, & milia (42%). Pathological lesions pustulosis was most common seen in 28% cases, second most common lesion was oral thrush (26%).

Assessment of the Newborn Care Practices in Home Deliveries among Urban Slums of Meerut, UP India

Background: Despite efforts by the government and other health agencies neonatal morbidity and mortality continues to remain high in India. In our community women receive information about neonatal care from family members, elders and traditional birth attendants regarding antenatal and postnatal care. Objectives: To assess the newborn care practices in home deliveries this can affect the neonatal morbidity and mortality. Settings and design: The community based, cross- sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of urban slums of Meerut, UP. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out from Jan 2011 to October 2011 In this study 280 mothers of infants up to 03 months of age were interviewed. A semi structured, pre tested questionnaire was used. All participants were informed regarding the purpose of study and their consent was obtained for data collection. Results: The result of study showed that many harmful and un-indicated neonatal practices were prevalent in the community. 83.92% of the deliveries took place at home and 51.08 % were conducted by untrained birth attendant. New blade was used to cut cord in 63.82%. Turmeric powder with oil or ghee was applied frequently. Bathing the baby immediately after birth was commonly practiced in 76.60%. 68.08% mothers initiated breast-feeding within 24 hrs of birth and 29.92% initiated after 1 day. 62.50% mothers had not given colostrum to their baby, in majority the reason was it prohibited by family customs and elderly members. Immunization status was poor. Conclusion: Practices regarding newborn care were harmful and knowledge was poor among mothers and this should be promoted through improved coverage with existing health services.

Psycho-Social Behaviour and Health Benefits of Islamic Fasting During the Month of Ramadan

A review of research articles on Ramadan fasting indicates that fasting can serve as an excellent research model for Psycho-social behaviour and health studies. The purpose of fasting for Muslims is to learn self-restraint from indulgence in everyday pleasures, for self-discipline, to develop God-consciousness, to develop self-control, to purify the body, and to empathize with the poor and hungry. Muslims describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. This involves restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing one to serve as a good Muslim and a good person. One of the greatest advantages of fasting is that its true observance inculcates in a person a habit of speaking the truth. Fasting is a powerful therapeutic process that can help people recover from mild to severe health conditions.

The Sociological Study of Sexual Behaviors and Situational Characteristics of Most Recent Male-Partnered Sexual event among Gay Peoples and Related Health Risks Issues

Men who have sex with men called Gay and who engage in sexual activity with same sex. Worldwide, at least 3% of men, and perhaps as high as 16% of men, have had sex at least once with a man. HIV infection and other diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are a challenging illness which are generally transmitted through unsafe sexual practices among gay around the world including India.

Use of Tobacco Products and the Need for Implementation of Legislation and Strategies to Control It

Tobacco use is one of the important preventable causes of death and a leading public health problem all over the world. Majority of the morbidity and mortality could be attributed to tobacco use. Annually about five to six million deaths are attributed to tobacco use as a risk factor. In India about one million deaths each year and about 2200 deaths each day are attributed to tobacco use as a risk factor. There are about 275 million tobacco users in India which accounts for about 1/3rd (34.6%) of Indian population. Various tobacco control measures including policy making, increasing taxes, formulation of tobacco control laws, health education, medical interventions etc are available. There is an urgent need to strengthen the research in the country to deal with the problem of tobacco control.

A Liability of Medical Professionals: A Review Study on Medical Negligence

The Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) by the United Nations grants the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being to humans. Elderly, motherhood, all children, whether born in or out of wedlock, enjoy the same social protection and benefits of health. Recently, Indian Society is experiencing a growing awareness regarding patients rights. Medical negligence is professional negligence done by doctors while dealing with their patients.

A Burning Threat to Human's Health from Quackery: A Review Study

Health as a matter of right is recognized throughout the world for its intrinsic value. Quackery is defined as the promotion of unsubstantiated methods that lack a scientifically plausible rationale. They have neither a recognized degree nor a license to practice medicine and yet a number of quacks are running their “dispensaries” with impunity in every part of the country. They include those who have not received formally recognized training. These fake and untrained doctors pose a serious risk to life for poor patients and they are living in villages or interior areas of the cities. They are not registered with any government regulatory body and operate outside of the purview of regulation. A testimony to their legitimacy, they manage certificates from unauthorized and unrecognized institutions.

The Role of the State in the Implementation to Attained Highest Standard of Health Policies

The Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) by the United Nations grants the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being to humans including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond human control. World Health Organization had also advocated Primary Health Care strategy in 1978 for achieving the Health-for-All by year 2000.

How to Prevent the Transmission of STIs Including Enteric Pathogens among MSM and Transgender People

Male to male sex have existed in India for thousands of years. This is evident from the temple carvings in Konark and Khajarao (950–1050 AD) that depict homosexuality from ancient times. AIDS prevalence among young MSM people is a challenging illness caused by the HIV virus, which weakens the immune system and leads to death through secondary infections.