Burden and Predictors of Malnutrition Among Indian Adolescents (10-19 Years): Insights From Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey Data.

Introduction: Malnutrition among adolescents is a persistent problem with a profound impact on different dimensions of health. The objective of this analysis is to assess the burden of malnutrition (Stunting, Thinness, Overweight, and Obesity) and their associated socio-demographic factors among Indian adolescents (10-19 years) from the Comprehensive National Nutritional Survey (CNNS 2016-18) data. Methods: We used Individual-level data of 35,831 adolescents from the CNNS conducted in 2016-18 for this analysis. CNNS collected data on the nutritional status of adolescents along with socio-demographic variables from all states of India. Burden of stunting (Height for age Z score, HAZ < -2 SD), thinness (BMI for age Z score, BAZ < -2 SD), overweight (BAZ > 1 SD) and obesity (BAZ > 2 SD) were estimated for the entire country and individual states. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the socio-demographic factors associated with stunting, thinness, and overweight. Results: CNNS collected data from 35,831 adolescents, of which 31,941 with BAZ scores, and 32,045 with HAZ scores were included in the final analysis. The burden of stunting and thinness among Indian adolescents was 27.4% (95% CI 26.4, 28.4%) and 24.4% (23.5, 25.4%), respectively. The burden of overweight and obesity was 4.8% (4.5, 5.1%) and 1.1% (0.9, 1.3%), respectively. Adolescents in the age group of 15-19 years (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.11, 1.36) compared to 10-14 years, females (AOR 1.20; 1.08, 1.33) compared to males, were at increased odds of getting stunted. Adolescents from lowest wealth index families (AOR 1.66; 1.33, 2.07) were at increased odds of thinness compared to peers of higher wealth index families. Adolescents of 10-14 years (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06, 1.49) compared to 15-19 years, urban residents (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.19, 1.71) compared to rural residents, were at increased odds of overweight. Conclusion: Indian adolescents face the double burden of malnutrition that is undernutrition (stunting and thinness) alongside overnutrition (overweight and obesity) that are linked with socio-demographic factors. The National Nutritional Programs (POSHAN Abhiyan) should prioritize high-risk groups specifically older age group (15-19 years), females, and low wealth Index quintile families identified in this analysis.

Diabetes Self-Care Activities: A Community-Based Survey in an Urban Slum in Hyderabad, India.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic illness with silent manifestations, which can be better managed by the individual through self-care behaviors such as diet control, proper exercise, monitoring blood glucose, and adherence to dug. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of existing self-care behaviors among people with diabetes and its associated factors. METHODS: It was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted in an urban slum in Hyderabad. A total of 208 cases of diabetes mellitus were interviewed. The details of diabetes self-care activities were recorded by using the modified Summary Diabetes Self-care Activities Questionnaire. The data were analyzed by applying SPSS US at 24, and the factors associated with good self-care behavior were found. RESULTS: The study revealed that the prevalence of good dietary behavior, good exercise behavior, good monitoring behavior, and good drug adherence was 29.8%, 30.3%, 44.2%, and 56.3%, respectively. Education of secondary class and above (odds ratio [OR] 3.001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.139-6.447) was found to be associated with good dietary behavior, and male gender (OR 3.691; 95% CI: 1.965-6.936) was associated with good exercise behavior. Good monitoring behavior and good drug behavior were found to be associated with higher socioeconomic status (OR 4.540; 95% CI: 2.418-8.522) and age 50 years and above (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.731-6.675), respectively. CONCLUSION: Good dietary and exercise behavior were found poor in comparison to good monitoring behavior and drug adherence. The factors significantly associated were male sex, higher education, higher socioeconomic status, and age above 50 years.

Risk Factors for Stroke in Rural Population of Telangana State of India, an Unmatched Case Control Study.

Context Stroke tops the list of causes for acquired disability among adults and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence from developed countries indicate significant decline in stroke incidence and mortality, attributable to prevention of risk factors in general population. There is limited evidence on risk factors for stroke in rural India. Aims This study aims to ascertain the risk factors for stroke in rural Telangana and provide a guide to health care providers in adopting treatment and prevention strategies. Settings and Design The study was conducted in the Moinabad mandal of Ranga Reddy District, Telangana state of India. This is a population based unmatched case-control study. Methods and Materials All the houses of Moinabad were approached by a door-to-door survey to identify cases. A total of 288 persons were enrolled in the study which included 144 cases and 144 controls. Statistical Analysis To derive age and gender adjusted odds ratios of various risk factors, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results The estimated crude prevalence of stroke in Moinabad mandal is 257 per lakh population. Modifiable risk factors identified were, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smoking, diastolic blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and central obesity as measured by waist circumference. Nonmodifiable risk factors identified were male gender and higher age group. Conclusion The high prevalence of stroke in rural Telangana makes it an important public health challenge for the state. The identified risk factors need to be addressed at population level.

Surveillance of Anaemia: Mapping and Grading the High Risk Territories and Populations.

INTRODUCTION: Surveillance of anaemia is an ongoing process for assessing iron status and anaemia prevalence among individuals and the communities they live in. Measuring blood haemoglobin levels is the commonest method espoused worldwide for screening individuals and populations for anaemia and iron deficiency. World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a classification of public health significance of anaemia in populations on the basis of prevalence estimated from blood levels of haemoglobin. India falls under "Severe public health problem" category. An attempt has been made to categorise "Severe public health problem" into grades of severity that will help in prioritising the states and districts for targeted action. AIM: To adapt the "WHO Classification of anaemia as a problem of public health significance" and to use the same to identify and map high risk population groups in the southern states of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The category of 'Severe Public Health Problem' has been graded based on prevalence of anaemia. Secondary data published in the District Level Household and Facility Survey - 4 is analysed for five states and 1 UT (Union Territory) of southern part of India. Choropleth Mapping was done to visually depict the intensity of anaemia problem across the geographic territories. RESULTS: Children from 6 months to 59 months were having highest prevalence of both, anaemia (68%) and severe anaemia (10%). This was followed by pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years and Girl Child 6 to 9 years. Four of the Southern states of India including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu fall in the Grade 2 SPHP (Severe Public Health Problem). CONCLUSION: The sixteen districts fall under Grade 3 Severe Public Health Problem in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, require special focus for identifying and addressing the determinants of such high prevalence of Anaemia. These populations and territories require priority in the Government of India's Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in the National Health Mission to address iron deficiency anaemia. The problem needs to be addressed through dietary diversification and improved access to foods that have high levels of bioavailable iron, including animal products apart from iron supplementation.