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Background: Around 5.9 million children still die every year before reaching their fifth birthday. Child morbidity and mortality due to preventable causes remains high in developing countries. Aim & Objective: To find out the relationship of morbidity with child rearing practices and sociodemographic characteristic. Material and Methods: To cover a sample size of 400 in urban health center area population under 5 children every alternate family was selected by systematic random sampling from the total of 1867 registered families at urban health center. The data was obtained by the interview of mothers and examination of children using predesigned and pretested Questionnaire. The data thus collected, was first coded and then transferred to a master chart on Microsoft Excel sheet, from which distribution as well as co-relation tables were prepared, analyzed and statistically evaluated by SPSS version 20.0.Result: In the present study, the overall fortnightly incidence of morbidity among under 5 children was found to be 65.3% (boys - 64.2%, girls - 66.5%). Exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.001); time of initiation of breastfeeding (p < 0.001); complementary feeding (p < 0.05) and hand washing practices (p < 0.001) are statistically significant predictors of child morbidity Conclusion: We need comprehensive child health care programme having all three promotive, preventive and curative services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition is one of the largest public health problems in developing countries. India contributes 1/3rd of total malnourished children in the world, with prevalence as high as 29.4%. Chronic malnutrition experienced during early life inhibits growth, retards mental development; reduce motivation and energy level, causing reduction in educational attainments. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of malnutrition with scholastic performance among 8-12 year children in 2 selected private schools in Meerut. This cross sectional study was done among 8-12 year school going children, with sample size of 384, taking the prevalence as 50%, precision as 10%. The private schools were selected randomly from the list of urban schools in Meerut. Malnutrition was assessed using anthropometric measurements and records from school were used to analyze scholastic performance. A total of 483 children across 2 private schools were evaluated wherein 29% of children were found to be malnourished. A significant association between malnutrition and scholastic performance was observed. In conclusion, nutrition have significant impact on the scholastic performance, with all programs running in government schools there is a need for a program in private schools as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The trend of ocular diseases in urban areas is changing. Eye diseases due to chronic medical problems are being detected more in urban population. Therefore, there is a need to check for ocular diseases in each age group. Objectives: To find the prevalence and causes of ocular morbidity and blindness and their associated factors in urban population. Methods: This study was done in an urban area of Meerut. All the age groups covering 1613 subjects were interviewed and simple torchlight examination of the eyes, followed by testing of vision was done. Results: Prevalence of ocular morbidity was 53.0% and blindness 3.4%. The most common ocular morbidity was refractive error (86.4%), followed by cataract (22.5%) and conjunctivitis (6.0%). The causes of blindness were cataract (72.7%), posterior segment pathologies (20.0%), ocular injury (5.5%) and corneal opacities (1.8%). Both ocular morbidity and blindness were significantly higher in smokers, hypertensives and diabetics. Blindness was more prevalent in alcoholics and in those with history of ocular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is most common nutritional disorder in developed countries and is assuming significant dimensions in developing countries. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults aged 18 years and above and socio-demographic factors affecting overweight and obesity in rural population of Meerut. To suggest measures for prevention of overweight and obesity in adults population of rural Meerut. Material and Methods: In present community based cross sectional study 1382 individuals aged 18 years and above were covered from 400 families spread over 5 villages with the help of systemic random sampling in rural area of Meerut District. The Individuals were interviewed and examined personally using Pre-designed and Pretested Questionnaire. Results: Out of 1382 individuals 244 (17.7%) were having BMI > 25. Prevalence of obesity in females (22%) was found more than males (13.8%). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity increased with advancing age, maximum being in age group 50-59 years (22.2%). Maximum numbers of males (19.9%) were overweight in their most productive life (30 -39 years) whereas maximum females were overweight in their menopausal decade i.e. 40-49 years (32.8%). Overweight was more in persons who were married (18.9%), professional/Technical person (33.3%), Savarna upper caste (23.1%), belonging to high standard of living index (21.0%), person living in joint families (18.2%), and Alcoholics (18.6%) while smokers were having lower prevalence of overweight (10.6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of Overweight and Obesity is increasing in adult population of rural area. Various socio-demographic correlates are affecting the prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Rural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Undernutrition in children under 5 years of age is still a great public health burden. Integrated child development services (ICDS) were launched with an idea of making a dent on this age-old issue. Various studies in the past have been done to identify lacunae in the programme, but very few studies are done focussing on the satisfaction of mothers with the supplementary nutrition provided through ICDS programme. The utilisation of the programme depends on various factors, one of which is client satisfaction., Methods and Material: The Anganwadi centres of urban areas of Meerut were line-listed after taking a list of Anganwadis from the Child Development Office. There are 297 Anganwadis in urban areas of Meerut. With help of random number tables, three Anganwadis were selected, and to complete the sample of 152, 51 children from two Anganwadis and 50 from one Anganwadi centre were selected with help of simple random tables. The data thus collected were analysed using Epiinfo version 7.2.3.1., Results: The prevalence of underweight was found to be 34.2%, wasted 19.7%, and stunted 11.2%. Among the characteristics assessed, a majority of mothers, 58.5%, were dissatisfied with the frequency at which supplementary nutrition was provided from the Anganwadis. All children were provided Take Home Ration, and 100.0% of mothers reported using it for all family members. Still 63.2% of mothers were unaware about the iron supplementation in childhood and only 65.8% of mothers had satisfactory handwashing practices., Conclusions: In this study, a majority of mothers were dissatisfied with the frequency at which supplementary nutrition was provided to their children. Also, the prevalence of underweight children was significantly higher when mothers were not aware about the factors affecting nutrition in children. The Take Home Ration given for children was shared among family members in 100.0% families., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)