Current scenario of consumption of Lathyrus sativus and lathyrism in three districts of Chhattisgarh State, India.

Lathyrism is a disease caused by excessive consumption of grass pea, Lathyrus sativus especially under conditions of severe drought. Grass pea contains 3-N-oxalyl-L-2, 3-diaminopropanoic acid (ß-ODAP) a putative neurotoxin which acts through excitatory mechanism causing Neurolathyrism. Due to awareness of the disease, availability of food and levels of consumption of L. sativus there is reduction in lathyrism cases where higher consumption of L. sativus is reported in India. The present study was undertaken with the objective to assess the current scenario of consumption of L. sativus, incidence of cases of lathyrism, ß-ODAP, protein and amino acids content in L. sativus pulse collected from three districts (Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur) of Chattisgarh state. For this purpose, a total of 17,755 (13,129 rural and 4626 urban) individuals from 151 villages and 60 wards from urban area were covered for clinical examination. Out of total 5769 households (HHs) covered during the survey, 1602 HHs were cultivators, 1791 HHs non-cultivators and 2376 agricultural and other labourers. A one day 24-hour re-call diet survey was carried out in 5758 HHs (4549 rural and 1209 urban). A total of 360 split grass pea (SGP) samples were collected to estimate ß-ODAP, protein and amino acids content. Results of the study revealed that an average consumption of SGP was 20.9 gm/CU/day in Bilaspur and no consumption was reported among urban population of Raipur. Only nine old cases of lathyrism were found during the study. The mean ß-ODAP content in SGP was 0.63 ±â€¯0.14, 0.65 ±â€¯0.13 and 0.65 ±â€¯0.14 gm/100 gm, whereas the protein content was 27.0 ±â€¯2.39, 27.0 ±â€¯1.99 and 26.7 ±â€¯1.90 gm/100 gm in samples collected from Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur districts respectively. Arginine content was high in SGP and sulphur containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) were less than other amino acids. In conclusion, the consumption of SGP was lower in these three districts with lower ß-ODAP content than earlier reports, thus the lower prevalence of lathyrism in the districts surveyed.

Trends in nutritional status and nutrient intakes and correlates of overweight/obesity among rural adult women (≥18-60 years) in India: National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) national surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in nutrient intakes and nutritional status of rural adult women (≥18-60 years) and the association of sociodemographic characteristics with overweight/obesity. DESIGN: Community-based cross-sectional studies carried out during 1975-79 to 2011-12 by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) were used. Anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and waist circumference, carried out during the surveys, were used. Association and logistic regression analyses between sociodemographic characteristics and overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity were conducted using a complex samples procedure. SETTING: Ten NNMB states of India. SUBJECTS: Non-pregnant and non-lactating rural women aged ≥18-60 years covered during the above periods from ten states in India. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency has declined from 52 % during 1975-79 to 34 % during 2011-12, while that of overweight/obesity has increased from 7 % to 24 % during the same period. Median intakes of most of the nutrients have increased over the same period, although they were below recommended levels. The chance of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity was significantly (P<0·01) higher among women aged 40-60 years, those belonging to Christian religion and other backward communities, women living in pucca houses, literate women, women engaged in service and business, and those having higher per capita income. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of chronic energy deficiency has declined significantly; however, overweight/obesity has increased during the same period. This increase in overweight/obesity may be attributed to increased consumption of fatty foods, sedentary lifestyle and improved socio-economic status. There is a need to educate the community about regular physical exercise, low intakes of fats and oils, and a balanced diet.

Diet & nutrition profile of Chenchu population - A vulnerable tribe in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Earlier studies have documented high prevalence of undernutrition, morbidity and mortality among Chenchus, a tribal population in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India. The present study was carried out to assess diet and nutritional status of Chenchus and cause of death. METHODS: A total of 42 Chenchu villages (gudems) were covered using systematic random sampling procedure. In each gudem, all the households with at least one child under the age of five years were covered for various investigations. Weighment diet survey was carried out on a sub-sample of households. In addition, information on cause of death in the selected 42 gudems was collected for past one year using verbal autopsy method. RESULTS: A total of 1396 subjects of all age groups were covered for various investigations. The intakes of food and nutrients were lower than the recommended levels. The prevalences of underweight, stunting and wasting among under five children were 42 per cent (CI: 37.9-46.1), 53 and 13 per cent, respectively, while 41 per cent (CI: 37.8-47.2) men and 42 per cent (34.4-47.8) women had chronic energy deficiency (BMI<18.5 kg/m [2] ). Sixty eight deaths were reported during the past one year in 42 Chenchu gudems. The major causes of death were premature delivery, low birth weight, alcoholic cirrhosis of liver, accidents, snakebite and pulmonary tuberculosis. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of undernutrition in Chenchu population was comparable with other tribal and rural counterparts in Andhra Pradesh, however, the crude death rate (11.7/1000) was higher among the Chenchus. Steps may be taken to promote consumption of balanced diet and utilization of optimal healthcare facilities to control morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence of & knowledge, attitude & practices towards HIV & sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Andhra Pradesh.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: As part of the baseline survey carried out during 2005-06, biological and behavioural data were generated on about 3200 female sex workers (FSWs), from eight districts of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India. This study describes the relationship between socio-demographic and behavioural factors with consistent condom use (CCU) and HIV among FSWs in AP. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among female sex workers (FSW) in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh, India, using conventional cluster sampling and time-location cluster sampling. Key risk behaviours and STIs related to the spread of HIV were assessed. Blood samples were collected to detect syphilis, Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neiserria gonorrhoeae (NG) and HIV serology. RESULTS: About 70 per cent of the FSWs were illiterates, nearly 50 per cent were currently married and 41 per cent of the FSWs had sex work as the sole source of income. More than 95 per cent of the FSWs heard of HIV, but about 99 per cent believed that HIV/AIDS cannot be prevented. Logistic regression analysis showed significantly lesser CCU with high client volume, not carrying condom and could not use condom in past 1 month due to various reasons such as non co-operation by the clients. Similarly, CCU was significantly (P<0.001) lesser (only 8.9%) with regular non-commercial partners. Overall there was 16.3 per cent prevalence of HIV amongst FSWs. C. trachomatis and N. gonorrheae were prevalent in 3.4 and 2 per cent of the FSWs, respectively and about 70 per cent of the FSWs were positive for HSV2 serology. HIV was significantly associated with STIs. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Misconception that HIV/AIDS cannot be prevented is very high. Most of the subjects in the present study had first sexual debut at a very young age. HIV was associated with STIs, emphasizing aggressive STI diagnosis and treatment. CCU must be emphasized right from first sexual debut with all clients and non-commercial partners as well.