Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight Among School Children Aged 8-18 Years in Rajkot, Gujarat.

A total of 1496 school children aged 8-18 years (79.1% boys) participated in this study. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was estimated by using three different growth standards. Revised IAP 2015 growth standards detected more obese and overweight children than WHO 2007 and IOTF standards.

Evaluation of integrated Child Development Services program in Gujarat, India for the years 2012 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme has been operational for more than three decades in India. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the various aspects of the ICDS program in terms of inputs, process and outcome (coverage), utilization, and issues related to the ICDS program. METHODS: A total of 130 Anganwadi centers (AWCs) were selected including 95 AWCs from rural areas and 35 AWCs from urban areas from April 2012 to March 2015, from 12 districts of Gujarat and the union territory of Diu. Information was collected for infrastructure, baseline characteristics of AWWs, provision, coverage and utilization of various ICDS services, and various issues related to program operation. RESULTS: A majority of pregnant (94.7%) and lactating (74.4%) mothers, and adolescent girls (86.6%) were availing ICDS services. In 96.9% of the AWCs, a growth chart was available and 92.3% AWWs were using it accurately. A total of 14.9% children were underweight including 13.5% moderately and 1.4% severely malnourished children. Two-third (66.2%) children were covered by supplementary nutrition (SN). Only 14.6% of the AWCs reported 100% preschool education (PSE) coverage among children. More than half (55.4%) of the AWCs reported an interruption in supply during the last 6 months. Various issues were reported by AWWs related to the ICDS. CONCLUSION: The study has reported gaps in terms of infrastructure facility, different trainings, coverage, supply, and provision of SN, status of PSE activities in AWCs, and provision of different services to the beneficiaries.

Evaluation of National Leprosy Eradication Program after Integration into General Health System in Rajkot District, Gujarat from 2003 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP) was launched in 1983 with the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem. AIM: To evaluate the NLEP performance after integration into general health system from April 2003 to March 2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective record based study was conducted by obtaining data from Rajkot district leprosy center. Prevalence rate (PR), new case detection rate (NCDR), proportion of female cases, child cases, multibacillary (MB) cases, Grade II disability among new cases and release from treatment (RFT) cases were evaluated from April 2003 to March 2014 and analyzed by using Chi-square for trend analysis test. RESULTS: The PR of leprosy per 10,000 populations was significantly declined (P < 0.001) from 0.44 in 2003-2004 to 0.15 during March 2014. Reduction in NCDR trend was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The proportion of female cases among newly detected cases showed fluctuation from 36.23% in 2003-2004 to 37.10% in 2013-2014 (P > 0.05). The proportion of child cases also showed significantly declining trend from 12.08% in 2003-2004 to 6.70% in 2013-2014 (P < 0.05). Significant number of MB cases decreased from 122 (2003-2004) to 69 (2013-2014) (P < 0.001). Grade II disability proportion was 1.45% in the year 2003-2004, increased to 5.2% in 2009-2010 and then again decreased to 3.4% in 2013-2014 (P > 0.05). Proportion of patients RFT showed fluctuation from 66.66% (2003-2004) to 45.68% (2009-2010) and then 64.66% (2013-2014) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The NLEP is having a favorable impact on the problem of leprosy by maintaining the elimination level of leprosy in Rajkot district over a decade.

Epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue disease at a tertiary care centre in Saurashtra region during the year 2013.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne viral infection which may lead to haemorrhage or even shock. The present study was conducted with an objective to study the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue disease during the year 2013 in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state, India. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted at sentinel surveillance centre for dengue disease at microbiology department of tertiary care hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013. A total of 4366 blood samples were collected during study period and serologically tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by capture ELISA testing from various districts of Saurashtra region. Patients with acute onset of illness, high grade fever, severe headache, backache, musculoskeletal pain or retro-bulbar pain with or without rashes were considered as clinically suspected case of dengue virus infection. Patient who presented with fever and found positive for Dengue NS1 Ag and/or IgM Ab was considered as a case. A pre-tested structured proforma was used as a tool for data collection. The data was entered into EpiInfo software and analyzed by using appropriate statistical test (chi-square test). RESULTS: Out of 4366 tested samples, 41.3% samples were found positive for dengue. Majority of samples were tested in age group 16-25 yr (33.9%) and 26-45 yr (31.1%). The ratio of male cases (60.8%) was higher than female cases. Two-third (68.7%) suspected cases were residing in urban areas of Saurashtra region. More than half of the cases (57%) were diagnosed within five days of fever by NS1 antigen test. The reporting of number of cases increased from July 2013, which reached to peak during September 2013 followed by decrease till December 2013. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Dengue predominately affected males and urban population. A seasonal occurrence was reported mainly during monsoon season. A long term serosurveillance study may help to provide more information about the intensity, seasonal incidence and seasonal effect.