Back to home pageJANUARY-JUNE 1992 - VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1/2
93.29.01 - English - Colonel P. K. DUTTA, Major J. V. SULLADNATH and Colonel A.C. URMIL, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411 040 (India)
A Study of Risk Factors for Ischaemic Heart Diseases (IHD) among Employees of a Defence Establishment (p. 3-12)
The prevalence of certain known risk factors of Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) was studied among 323 civilian male subjects, all aged over 40 and employed in a defence establishment during 1988. The study revealed that the majority of the study subjects were physically inactive, obese and smokers, and belonged to personality type A. Hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found in 38.39%, 26.01% and 26.11% of the study population respectively. There was a positive family history of IHD among 25.08% of the subjects and a total of 98.14% showed one or more risk factors. The study also revealed that 94.43% of the study population had a 0-10% probability of developing IHD within a period of six years. (INDIA, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DISEASE PREVALENCE)
93.29.02 - English - Radha Y. ARAS, J. D. REGE, Nalini PAI, Anita BALIGA and NAIMUDDIN, Topiwala National Medical College, Bombay 400 008 (India)
Screening for Carcinoma Cervix in a Lower Socio-economic Class of a Peri-Urban Community (p. 13-17)
A Pap test was carried out on women above the age of 25, residing in a peri-urban slum community, after responding to a systematic random sample. A total of 60.9% were illiterate and response to an initial invitation to be screened was of the order of 34.6%. The prevalence of a definite malignancy was 8.2 per 1000 women and, for severe dysplasia, 4.8 per 1000. 76.3% of the women who reported for a Pap test were Muslims and all the cases of cervical cancer were detected amongst Muslims. Thus, screening for cervical cancer has proved to be a very important tool for detection at an early, pre-invasive and curable stage and to take further measures to prevent it from progressing into a life-threatening illness. (INDIA, CANCER, CERVIX, PROLETARIAT)
93.29.03 - English - J. MUKHOPADHYA, Officer-in-Charge, SHO AF Station, Tambaram, Madras 46 (India)
A Prospective Study of Factors Affecting the Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) among Children of a Service Community (p. 18-25)
ARI constitute a major share in the morbidity and mortality of young children. The present study reveals the role of various factors which affect the incidence of ARI. Among these, breast-feeding, nutrition, indoor smoke pollution, parental smoking habits and also, immunization, were the most important factors and these have been recognized as amenable to change. An effective preventive strategy has also been highlighted. (INDIA, INFANT MORTALITY, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM)
93.29.04 - English - Shail DUBEY, Institute of Medical Sciences, and Shri Kant SINGH, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005 (India)
Socio-Cultural Analysis of the Cases of Reversal of Female Sterilization: A Retrospective Study (p. 26-31)
As the number of female sterilizations continues to grow, so does the need for reversal operations. This paper throws light on the socio-cultural, economic and other characteristics of the people seeking reversal and also, analyses the factors influencing this decision. The findings reveal that middle-class urban couples were in preponderance in this series, while the loss of children due to the high infant mortality rate, in particular male children, was the most important deciding factor behind the reversal of female sterilization. (INDIA, FEMALE STERILIZATION, REVERSIBLE STERILIZATION, SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION)
93.29.05 - English - Manju MEHTA, Department of FRM, College of Home Science, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India), and Asha DASS, Department of Home Management, Faculty of Home Science, MSU Baroda, Gujarat (India)
A Study of Water Storage Practices in a Residential Area of Kanpur (p. 32-38)
The study was conducted in a residential area in Kanpur City where there was no regular water supply. Residents therefore have to store the water for various purposes, one of the main ones being for drinking and cooking. Different types of materials, like earthenware, brass, copper, stainless steel, plastic, glass and galvanised iron were used for storing drinking water. The most commonly used materials were earthenware, glass and plastic, although materials used varied according to season. Particular materials were used for storing drinking water for specific reasons and respondents tended to use materials which were easy to clean and maintain, easy to handle, cheap and available to them free of charge. (INDIA, HYGIENE, DRINKING WATER)
93.29.06 - English - Kaining ZHANG, Department of Health Statistics, Kunming Medical College, Kunming 650031 (China), and Dellia DAVIN, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT (U.K.)
Neonatal Mortality Rate, Fertility and their Relationship in Twenty Counties of South-West China (p. 39-51)
This paper looks at the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and fertility in twenty counties in South-West China and examines the relationship between them. It finds both NMR and fertility were higher than the national average in the counties surveyed and there were significant regional differences. No association or linear correlation was found between the NMR and fertility in the twenty countries. This absence is attributed to the fact that, in these areas, population growth has decreased mainly as a result of an ambitious family planning programme and the NMR has declined gradually as a result both of efforts to improve the primary health services and of socio-economic progress. The decrease in population growth and decline in the NMR were not necessarily associated. (CHINA, NEONATAL MORTALITY, FERTILITY, REGIONS)
93.29.07 - English - P. DURGAPRASAD and S. SRINIVASAN, Faculty of HRD, National Institute of Rural Development, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030 (India)
Interventions in Rural Health: Organization and Management of the Multi-purpose Health Workers' Scheme - A Case Study (p. 52-67)
The present study explores the managerial dimensions of the rural health care system and seeks to examine the effectiveness of the management of the Multi-purpose Health Workers' Scheme in the States of Karnataka and West Bengal. While analyzing critically the problems facing the health delivery system, and the PHC system in particular, the study endeavours to highlight the policy and programme implementation implications drawn from the intensive field studies conducted in the two States. (INDIA, RURAL AREAS, HEALTH POLICY, HEALTH SERVICES, MANAGEMENT)
93.29.08 - English - S. MALHOTRA and R. S. GUPTA, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Mehrauli Road, Munirka, New Delhi 110 067 (India)
A Study of the Workload of the Casualty Department of a Large City Hospital (p. 68-76)
The Casualty Department forms an important area for any hospital, but often, patients use it as an Out-patient Department after the regular Out-patient Department of the hospital closes down. The study reveals the types of cases which are seen in the Casualty Department of Safdarjung Hospital and analyzes the case-mix pattern of the patients, the severity of the emergencies and their distribution to the various speciality groups. It gives a profile of medico-legal cases and some suggestions for reducing the workload of medical personnel involved in it. (INDIA, HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT)
JULY-DECEMBER 1992 - VOLUME 15, NUMBER 3/4
93.29.09 - English - P.L. JOSHI, Family Welfare, Government of India, Lucknow (India), M. BHATTACHARYA, S. DWIVEDI and B. RAJ, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, MLN Medical College, Allahabad, U.P. (India)
Primary Health Care Action: An Operational Need for Control of Tuberculosis (p. 79-88)
This study was carried out at the District Tuberculosis Centre, Allahabad, and details of the patients' socio-economic characteristics, the treatment given to them and the pattern of subsequent drug intake over a twelve-month period were recorded. An analysis of the data revealed that the overall compliance rate for 12 drug collections was 23.9%. The rate was higher (31.5%) amongst urban patients than rural ones (18.7%). Drug compliance over the 12-month period was highest in the 26-40-year-old age group and lowest in patients aged under 15 or over 40. No differences were observed in the compliance rate when compared for religion or the type of diet followed for treatment. However, more males completed the treatment than females. Default retrieval action was observed to be non-existent in 54.6% of the treatment cards where addresses were either incomplete or illegible. Improved supervision and strengthening of the DTC services at various levels were suggested as measures for improving the compliance rate, especially amongst rural people. (INDIA, TUBERCULOSIS, MEDICAL CARE)
93.29.10 - English - J. MUKHOPADHYA, Officer-in-Charge, SHO, Air Force Station, Tambaram, Madras 600 046 (India), and D. P. ACHAR, AFMSD, Bombay 400 101 (India)
Infant Feeding Practices among Educated Mothers in an Air Force Community (p. 89-93)
One hundred graduate mothers from an Air Force community were studied for infant feeding practices. Maternal education was found to have no influence on acceptance of breast-feeding which is universally practised by all mothers. This study has shown inter alia that there was poor knowledge with regard to infant feeding practices among these mothers, in spite of their educational status. It is suggested that formal health education on the traditional, but wrong, practices would help remove this ignorance. (INDIA, INFANTS, BREAST FEEDING, LEVELS OF EDUCATION)
93.29.11 - English - Kiran SINGH and Purnima SRIVASTAVA, Department of Home Science, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005 (India)
The Effect of Colostrum on Infant Mortality: Urban-Rural Differences (p. 94-100)
The study investigates the association between use and knowledge of colostrum and neonatal and post-neonatal deaths. Data from a 1987 survey, conducted under the auspices of the Centre of Population Studies, Banaras Hindu University, India, were used. It is found that neonatal and post-neonatal deaths were very low for females familiar with the importance of colostrum and feeding than for those who did not know about colostrum and were not breast-feeding. The findings also reveal that social status has no effect on the use and knowledge of colostrum, but, at the same time, place of residence had a highly significant effect. (INDIA, INFANTS, BREAST FEEDING, RURAL-URBAN)
93.29.12 - English - P. DURGAPRASAD and S. SRINIVASAN, Faculty of HRD, National Institute of Rural Development, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030 (India)
Interventions in Rural Health: Organization and Management of the Multi-purpose Health Workers' Scheme - A Case Study (p. 101-114)
The paper explores the managerial dimensions of the rural health care system and seeks to examine the managerial effectiveness of the Multi-purpose Health Workers' Scheme in the States of Karnataka and West Bengal. While analyzing critically the problem facing the health delivery system, and the Primary Health Centre system in particular, the authors endeavour to highlight the implications for policy and programme implementation drawn from the intensive field studies conducted in the two States. (INDIA, HEALTH POLICY, HEALTH SERVICES, MANAGEMENT)
93.29.13 - English - S.N.M. KOPPARTY, A.K. MISHRA and M.S. RAJU, Centre for Social Science Research on Leprosy, Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, Hindi Nagar, Wardha 442 103, Maharashtra (India)
Community Awareness about Leprosy Eradication Services - A Study in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa (p. 115-124)
Community awareness is essential for the community to participate in any public health programme. The present paper studies the extent of awareness in the community about leprosy eradication services in rural areas in two endemic States - Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Both the States were under monotherapy at the time of this investigation. Awareness about the appropriate source of treatment was higher in Andhra Pradesh (52.7%), and the correct day of opening of the leprosy clinic in the village or neighbouring village (23.3%), while the respective figures in Orissa were 5.3% and 0%. Awareness in the community regarding the para-medical worker's visit to the village, the frequency of visits and the nature of the work carried out was equally poor in both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa (6-20%). This calls for an increased level of performance by the leprosy workers at the grass-roots level to increase the visibility of their services in the community. Furthermore, health education input into the leprosy eradication programme needs to be given an adequate boost in order to spread awareness in the community. (INDIA, DISEASE CONTROL, ENDEMIC DISEASES, HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH POLICY)
93.29.14 - English - Nirmala MEHAN, J.P. GUPTA and R.S. GUPTA, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Mehrauli Road, Munirka, New Delhi (India)
Development of Nursing Education in India (p. 125-132)
The nursing and medical professions had independent origins, but, as the practice of medicine and surgery became more complex, requiring specially trained persons with an understanding of scientific principles, so these two disciplines have come together. In India, the era of nursing professionalism commenced with the establishment of the first degree course in nursing education in 1946, on the recommendations of the Bhore Committee. Since then, there has been gradual progress in nursing education, but not as much as desired. At present, the nursing component of the health care delivery system, especially at the peripheral level, is being managed by semi-professionals and auxiliaries like multi-purpose workers and trained birth attendants. But, in this age of galloping technology, professional nurses have to take over to provide the kind of health services aspired to in order to achieve "Health for all by 2000 A.D.". (INDIA, MEDICAL EDUCATION, MALE NURSES)
93.29.15 - English - S. PRABHAKAR, Sujatha CHANDRASEKARAN and K. CHAUDHURI, National Tuberculosis Institute, 8 Bellary Road, Bangalore 560 003 (India)
Effect of District Tuberculosis Programme Training on Knowledge of Laboratory Technician Trainees (p. 134-139)
Case finding is a vital activity for the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP). Through a 10-week training programme, the National Tuberculosis Institute is trying to provide the necessary knowledge to key personnel to achieve a positive attitude towards the programme. This paper reports on an exercise to measure the changes in knowledge levels after the training among the laboratory technicians. Twenty one laboratory technician trainees were interviewed before and after the training programme on a structured schedule comprising of 78 questions regarding the laboratory procedures required under the programme. Before training, 80% of the trainees answered 60 to 80% of the questions correctly whereas, after training, this level reached 95%. For some questions, the change in the level of knowledge was significant. This exercise indicated the potentiality of the schedule to be used as a teaching guide by the District Tuberculosis Centre laboratory technicians to train health workers at the peripheral level in the laboratory procedures under the NTP. (INDIA, TUBERCULOSIS, MEDICAL TEACHING, MEDICAL PERSONNEL)
93.29.16 - English - G.E. Rupert SAMUEL, J.P. GUPTA, Regional Health Office, Bangalore 560 020 (India), and V.S. WADHWA, Directorate General of Health Services, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011 (India)
Satisfaction and Utilization of Primary Health Care Service Facilities in Karnataka (p. 140-152)
A study was undertaken in rural Karnataka State to discover the utilization pattern of the primary health care service network and the reasons associated with various actions. The study observed a 1.1% prevalence rate of handicapped persons, 6.8% prevalence of sickness and 11.4% prevalence rate of a 30-day period of sickness. In a one-year period, 1.2% of the study population were hospitalized for sickness. Normally, 56.2% of household heads go mostly to Government institutions for treatment while 41.3% go to private practitioners. A considerable proportion has to travel 6kms or more to reach the source of treatment. The level of satisfaction with Government sources' treatment reached 44%. It was noted that the referral system also needs improvement. Twenty three per cent of household heads availed themselves of home services in a three-month period and only 5% of the population received some services. In general, the people were not satisfied with the regularity of the services provided by the health workers. (INDIA, HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH FACILITIES, SATISFACTION)
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