ABSTRACT
Introduction :Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of mortality in the world, more so in the perimenopausal age group due to decreased levels of estrogen and diminished ovarian function because of ageing. To find out the magnitude of CVD risk among perimenopausalObjective: women residing in rural Bengal and its associated determinants. A cross-sectional study wasMethod: conducted in a rural area of Barasat block I during April-July 2021 on 150 peri-menopausal women selected by cluster sampling. A pre-designed pretested questionnaire was used for data collection and a 10-year probability of CVD risk was assessed using Framingham Risk Score. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out the associated factors. Intermediate & high CVD risk was present in 28 (18.7%) and 63Results: (42%) participants respectively. Among 150 participants, 62% were hypertensive, 44.7% were diabetic,, 51.3% with borderline high total cholesterol and 76% had low HDL cholesterol. Factors significantly associated with intermediate to high CVD risk were high mental stress [AOR=6.96, 95%CI=2.17-22.31], family history of chronic illness [AOR=14.46, 95% CI=4.26-49.06] and presence of chronic morbidities [AOR=6.84, 95%CI=1.93-24.22]. A significant proportion of perimenopausal women were atConclusion: risk of developing CVD. Thus, awareness campaigns in the community would help in empowering women in maintaining their health through regular screening and timely intervention when deemed necessary
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Awareness regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among antenatal women is necessary for early diagnosis and management of the disease for ensuring a safe motherhood and a healthy child. Objective: This study envisaged to assess the awareness regarding GDM and its determinants among antenatal women attending healthcare facilities in a rural area of West Bengal and to explore the perspectives of health workers with regard to gaps in proper awareness generation activities among antenatal women. Method: This mixed-method study was conducted from April 2021 to July 2021 at 4 health facilities in Singur, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 195 antenatal women using a pretested questionnaire which were analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected via in- depth interviews among 6 health workers working in the health facilities and were analysed thematically. Results: Overall, 75.4% of participants were not aware of GDM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that secondary education and below (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42), no history of GDM among family & relatives (AOR=7.24, 95% CI=2.12-24.66), lesser number of antenatal visits (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42) and non-receipt of counselling regarding GDM during antenatal visits (AOR= 3.09, 95% CI =1.45–6.58) had a significant association with poor awareness. From health workers' perspectives, lack of reorientation training, shortage of supplies for testing, and overburdening with other responsibilities were the major gaps identified in proper awareness generation activities. Conclusion: Present study revealed majority of study participants possessed poor knowledge regarding GDM. Reorientation training of health workers, organizing awareness campaigns at the community level, and relevant counselling regarding GDM during each antenatal visit should be given utmost priority for improving knowledge about the disease