ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Zinc is a crucial micronutrient in adolescence, required for promoting growth and sexual maturation. Adolescents of some tribes may be at high risk of zinc deficiency due to dietary inadequacy and poor bioavailability of zinc from plant-based diets. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of zinc deficiency by estimating prevalence of inadequate zinc intake, prevalence of low serum zinc and stunting among tribal adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among adolescents (10-19 yr) in three purposively selected districts where Bhil, Korku and Gond tribes were in majority. Structured data collection instrument comprising information about sociodemographic characteristics and dietary recall data was used. Anthropometric assessment was conducted by standardized weighing scales and anthropometry tapes, and blood sample was collected from antecubital vein into trace element-free vacutainers. Serum zinc was estimated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: A total of 2310 households were approached for participation in the study, of which 2224 households having 5151 adolescents participated. Out of these enlisted adolescents, 4673 responded to dietary recall (90.7% response rate). Anthropometry of 2437 participants was carried out, and serum zinc was analyzed in 844 adolescents. The overall prevalence of dietary zinc inadequacy was 42.6 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.2 to 44.1] with reference to the estimated average requirement suggested by International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG) and 64.8 per cent (95% CI 63.4 to 66.2) with Indian Council of Medical Research-recommended requirements. Stunting was observed in 29 per cent (95% CI 27.2 to 30.8) participants. According to IZiNCG cut-offs, low serum zinc was detected in 57.5 per cent (95% CI 54.1 to 60.8) of adolescents, whereas it was 34.4 per cent (95% CI: 31.2-37.5) according to the national level cut-off. Interpretation & conclusions: Risk of dietary zinc inadequacy and low serum zinc concentration amongst adolescents of the Gond, Bhil and Korku tribes is a public health concern.
ABSTRACT
Background: Vaginitis is one of common medical problem in women that often results in frequent medical consultations. Aim was to study the clinico-epidemiological profile and etiopathogenesis of various causes of vaginal discharge among females in age group 18-45 years residing in rural area of Bhojipura district.Methods: This Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted over a period of one year (March 2011 to February 2012) among 150 females aged 18-45 years presenting with the complaint of vaginal discharge. Information on sociodemographic data was obtained with the aid of questionnaires. Samples were obtained with two dry cotton-wool tipped swabs from vaginal fornices and were sending to department of microbiology.Results: The prevalence rate of vaginal discharge was found to be 24.6% among females in reproductive age group attending the outpatient department from rural background. Out of 150 patients who were enrolled for study 86 (57.30%) were diagnosed with non-infective discharge while 64 (42.60%) patients with infective discharge. Bacterial vaginosis was detected in 25 (39.1%), Candida albicans was detected in 23 (35.9%), T. vaginalis in 4 (6.3%) and mixed infections were found in 12 (18.7%). According to vagina flora morphology 85 (56.6%) had normal morphology, 30 (20%) had shift from normal flora and 35 (23.3%) had definitive bacterial vaginosis. About 20.5% females with Candida based etiology were diabetic.Conclusions: Some common reproductive tract infections can be diagnosed and managed at primary level health facilities. This promotes community awareness through behavior change communication which includes safer sex practices, awareness of HIV and appropriate and timely health care seeking behavior.
ABSTRACT
Background: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortalityassociated with non communicable diseases like lung cancers, asthma, respiratory infection etc. Therefore the present study was conducted to study the exposure of passive smoke among residents (non smokers) in a rural population of Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1346 adults non smokers aged 25 years and above residing in rural areas. Multistage random sampling was done. Equal number of study subjects were enrolled from six randomly selected villages of Satrikh block in Barabanki district. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for collecting data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and passive exposure to tobacco smoke in home and work places. Results: About 33.1% of study participants at home and 28.4% at workplaces were exposed passively to tobacco smoke. The association between exposure to passive smoke both at home and workplace was found to be significantly associated with younger age group, other backward caste category, educational status and low socioeconomic status (p<0.05). The exposure at workplace was significantly found to be more among males and those who were laborer/ agriculture worker or shopkeeper by occupation (p<0.05). Conclusions: Exposure of passive smoke among adult non-smoker population was found to be quite common both at home and workplaces. This emphasized the importance of need based specific interventions to reduce the risk of exposure and forthcoming smoking related morbidities and mortalities due to passive smoke inhalation.