Sudha Yadav

A Study on Prevalence of Chewing Form of Tobacco and Existing Quitting Patterns in Urban Population of Jamnagar, Gujarat

Background: Awareness towards tobacco hazards has increased with time but its role alone towards cessation is questionable. With widespread menace of tobacco in developing countries like India, not much tobacco chewing prevalence and their quitting patterns data are available in urban Saurashtra region. Objectives: 1. To find out prevalence of various forms of chewing tobacco and quitting attitudes in urban Jamnagar. 2. To study quitting patterns in relation with age of habit initiation, family background and habit duration. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study involving 2513 individuals as study population by 30-cluster sampling method. The study was carried out between June 2007 and March 2008. Pre-set, pre-tested questionnaire was used for interview purpose and the statistical analysis was done on proportion basis. Results: About 37.2% of study population was ever-tobacco-chewers; 32.9% of them were current-chewers and 4.3% were quitters. Approximately 28.4% of current-consumers were willing to quit. Mawa-masala (63.7%) and Gutka (57.6%) were preferred forms of chewing tobacco and 57.5% of the current-chewers chewed tobacco six to eight times a day. Tobacco initiation age between 20 and 30 years was commoner among quitters (84.2%), while a little younger in current-consumers (76.5%). About 58.3% quitters and 74.0% chewers showing willingness to quit had not consumed tobacco for more than five years, 63.8% of current-chewers had a family member consuming tobacco. With initiation of health problems, 72.2% subjects quit and 55.5% of them already knew about health hazards. Conclusions: Every 4 out of 10 residents was found to be exposed to chewing tobacco. With Mawa-masala and Gutka being the predominant forms, habit onset in late adolescence, years of consumption and family exposure seem to be hampering quitting. Awareness about tobacco hazards alone does not appear to be resulting in successful quitting.

Study on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding gender preference and female feticide among pregnant women

Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern and has long-term social and demographic consequences. At the heart of the problem is the low status of women in society a patriarchal social framework and value system based on .son mania.. The problem is getting worse as scientific methods of detecting the sex of the foetus and for termination of pregnancy are improving. This seems to be fulfilling the long felt need of the people through female feticide. In this light the study of factors influencing sex ratio becomes very relevant for better understanding of the problem. (excerpt)

Study on obesity and Influence of dietary factors on the weight status of an adult population in Jamnagar city of Gujarat: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic diseases. Dietary factors are the major modifiable factors through which many of the external forces promoting weight gain act. Objectives: The objectives were to find the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the urban population of Jamnagar and to explore the effect of dietary factors on the weight status of the people. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the adult population of Jamnagar city. Cluster sampling technique was used to select study samples. Data were collected in a prestructured questionnaire by interviewing subjects through house-to-house visits. Data were analyzed in Epi Info and appropriate statistical methods were used. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 22.04% and 5.20%, respectively. Overweight was more prevalent in females than males. The prevalence rose with an increase in age up to 60 years. Among dietary factors, the total calorie intake and habit of snacking had a positive association with weight gain (P < 0.05). The mean intake of oil was more and the mean intake of vegetables was less among overweight subjects than nonoverweight subjects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the urban population in Jamnagar was found to be 22.04% and 5.20%, respectively. Total calorie intake as well as composition of diet was the important dietary factor affecting weight gain.

Goiter prevalence and current iodine deficiency status among school age children years after the universal salt iodization in Jamnagar district, India

Introduction: Iodine is an essential micronutrient with an RDA of 100-150 μg for normal human growth and mental development. Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) refers to complex clinical and subclinical disorder caused mainly due to inadequate intake of food with sufficient iodine . Aims and Objectives: The objective was to find out the prevalence of goiter in primary school children; to determine median urinary iodine concentration; to assess the level of iodine in salt samples at household. Materials and Methods: A 30-cluster survey was done in Jamnagar district in primary school children (6-12 years). A total of 70 children from first to seventh standards (35 boys and 35 girls) and 20 children from the community in each cluster were included. Total 2792 children were taken for the total goiter examination by population proportion to size in each cluster with informed consent. A total of 360 children were tested for the median urinary concentration and 750 salt samples were tested on the spot with a test kit from the households of the study population. Results: The total goiter rate was 4.83% among primary school children aged 6-12 years with no significant difference between age and sex. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The median urinary iodine excretion level of the district was found 80 mcg/l. It was observed that 81.9% salt samples had more than 15 ppm (as recommended) iodine content. Conclusion: The goiter prevalence is less in the study district but low median urinary iodine excretion and use of insufficient iodized salt at households describe the inadequacy in efforts to eliminate IDDs in the district.

A Study on High-risk Premarital Sexual Behavior of College Going Male Students in Jamnagar City of Gujarat, India

Background: The pre-marital sex and live-in relationship among young people are increasing at an alarming rate. Remote consequences of such high risk behaviors are increase in the incidence of STDs (including HIV), unsafe and illegal abortion, adolescent pregnancy and motherhood, single mother child/abandoned child, juvenile delinquency and many more. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the high-risk sexual behaviors in depth, influenced by various factors including age at sexual debut, type of partners, consistent condom usage, hostel stay, socioeconomic class, etc. among college-going male youth. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Jamnagar among undergraduate (18-24 years) male college students. A total of 450 students were randomly selected from three colleges of Jamnagar. Results: Out of all 450 participants, 49.11% were in the age group of 18-20 years. Among study subjects, 13.78% had one or more pre-marital sexual exposures. In students with positive pre-marital sexual history, the various sex partners were girlfriends (95.16%), commercial sex workers (14.5%), homosexuals (6.45%), and multiple sex partners (33.88%). Among students, 62.9% were using condom consistently. Three-fifth of the ones indulged in premarital sex, were in the age group of 16-20 at the time of sexual debut. Conclusions: Most of the students were quite young (16-18 years) at the time of first pre-marital sexual exposure. Consistent condom usage was not uniform. The students staying at hostels, indulged in premarital sex, were found to have multiple sex partners.

A study on doctors' perspective on PNDT act

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act(1) was implemented in 1996 in view of the falling gender ratio, because of the misuse of sonography machines for prenatal gender determination by doctors. Not much data are available on the perception of the doctors on the PNDT Act. With this background in mind, the present study was undertaken.

An evaluation of skill and knowledge in delivery of reproductive and child health services by female health workers in Jamnagar District and corporation area, Gujarat state, India

Background: Infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate are key indicators of Health situation in India and also reflect the degree of achievement of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Program. Female health worker (FHW) is a grass-root worker and has key role to provide quality service and success of RCH Program. This study was designed to assess the skill and knowledge of FHW in delivery of RCH services. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Jamnagar district during October 2008 to March 2009. All female health workers (FHWs) (n = 63) of 10 randomly selected Primary Health Center, one primary health care (PHC) from each Talukas and Corporation area, were selected and their skills and knowledge were assessed by observing and interviewing by the pretested oral questionnaire method. Results: Antenatal care achieve impressive coverage of more than 95% with regards to antenatal registration, tetanus toxoid to pregnant women, and iron-folic acid (IFA) tablet prescription to expectant mothers. Distressingly only half of the workers knew about Five Cleans and Resuscitation of new born child. Skills and knowledge regarding postnatal services and Family Planning services was variable among FHWs. Immunization service found to be good among all FHWs. Conclusion: Quality of services needs to be improved by train and re-train the workers on different aspects of the RCH program, so that their skills and knowledge can be utilized well. Support system of supervision and monitoring of activities of FHWs should be strengthened.