BACKGROUNDThe foundation of adequate growth and development is laid before birth, during childhood, and is followed during adolescence. Nutritional status is an important index for measuring quality of life especially in children. In this respect, understanding the nutritional status of children has far reaching implications on better development of future generations as well as future development of humanity. Malnutrition and diet are by far the biggest risk factors for the global burden of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted to understand the malnutrition scenario among the rural school children of 6-15 years age group and interplay of different sociodemographic factors contributing to it. Anthropometric data were analysed using WHO Anthro Plus version 1.0.4 software for assessing the growth of the children and by using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTSThe mean height of boys and girls of the study group was lower than WHO 2007 standards in all age groups. Of the 216 school children, 53, 31 and 111 were stunted/severely stunted, underweight/severely underweight, and thin/very thin, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate analysis revealed different associated sociodemographic factors contributing to poor nutritional status of children such as low socioeconomic status and poor educational background of their parents (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONThe causes of malnutrition are not only recent but also long term deprivation resulting to chronic malnutrition. Malnutrition results from the interaction of poor-quality diets and poor-quality health and care environments and behaviours, so urgent steps should be taken to improve nutritional status of school children.

BACKGROUNDSchool-age children constitute a particularly vulnerable group, where ocular morbidity including uncorrected refractive error may have a dramatic impact on learning capability and educational potential. Present study was conducted with the objective of estimating the prevalence of ocular morbidity among school children in rural area.

BACKGROUNDMorbidity rates are higher among the under five children specially in developing countries. Children are the backbone of future generation. The under five year is an important age group as the morbidity profile of this age group will have a far-reaching consequence on the overall development of the country. The Objectives of the study are-(1) to study the morbidity profile of under fives in the urban slums and (2) to assess the various sociodemographic correlates affecting the morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present study was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in urban slums of Silchar, Assam from March 2018 to August 2018 among 260 under five children. The data collected in a predesigned and pretested schedule by interview method among the care givers especially the mothers of the children by house to house visit. During home visits, socio demographic profile of the family was also taken along with interview of mothers and examination of children. RESULTSIn the present study, it was observed that 62.31% children were suffering from one or more morbid conditions. The leading cause of morbidity found were acute respiratory infection (34.57%), pallor (21.60%), malnutrition (20.37%), diarrhoea (12.35%), worm infestation (11.73%) and skin diseases (10.49%). Significant relation of morbidity in the children with caste, family type, parent's education, type of house, breastfeeding and immunization was seen. CONCLUSIONIt was revealed from this study that the morbidities among under five children in slum areas of Silchar was much higher. A significant association between the various sociodemographic criteria correlating with morbidity suggests a need to develop strategies for improvement of literacy status of mother, socioeconomic condition of people and adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and immunization.

BACKGROUND Adolescent problems constitute a bulk of morbidities, which are unrecognised and uncared among iceberg of disease burden. Adolescent girls are the mothers of tomorrow, hence the health of the girls of today will affect the health and survival of the future generation.The objective of this study is to study the common morbidities among the adolescent girls and to assess the various sociodemographic correlates affecting the morbidities in the urban slums of Silchar, Assam. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Silchar, Assam, from June 2016 to May 2017 among 500 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years. The data were collected in a predesigned and pretested schedule by interview method and house to house visit in the selected slums, so as to cover the desired sample. During home visits, socio-demographic profile of the family was taken along with the interview and examination of adolescent girls. RESULTSIn the present study, it was observed that 69.20% adolescent girls were suffering with one or more morbid conditions. The leading cause of morbidity found were pediculosis (42.77%), menstrual disorder (32.66%), skin problem (16.76%), dental problem (13.58%) and worm infection (11.56%). Pallor (10.69%), defective vision (8.67%), abdominal disorder (6.65%) and ear problem (4.62%) were also observed among the adolescent girls. Significant relation of morbidity in the girls with religion, caste, socioeconomic status, education, family type, diet and personal hygiene was seen. CONCLUSIONIt was found from this study that the morbidities among adolescent girls in the slum areas were much higher. A significant association between the various socio-demographic correlates affecting the morbidities suggest a need to develop strategies for intensive adult education and to improve the living standard of population. Health education may be useful for improving the health status of adolescent girls with the help of health personnel and Non-Government agencies. Besides, there is an urgent need for accessible health services for adolescent girls in the slum areas.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, the various forms and the different correlates of tobacco consumption in the Urban Slums of Silchar, Assam. Materials and Methods: A crossectional study was conducted in the Urban slums of Silchar Assam from January 2016 to December 2016 among 714 individuals aged 15 years and above. The data were collected in a pre designed and pre tested schedule by interview method and house to house visit in the selected slum. Results: This study revealed that as high as 55.46% individuals consumed tobacco in one form or the other. Chewing of tobacco was the most popular form of tobacco use (55.81%). Marked gender differences were noted with 70.11% of male used tobacco in comparison to 38.98% of female. Common reasons found for tobacco consumption were peer pressure (50.76%), Fun (35.35%), Curiosity (25.76%) and parents smoking habit (5.30%). Initiation to tobacco habit in majority (54.29%) began at 15 to 19 years of age. Majority (51.11%) of tobacco smoker used 11 to 15 numbers of cigarettes/ bidis daily and 25% spent Rupees 31 to 50 per day. Tobacco consumption was found higher in illiterates (58.20%), low socio-economic status (58.38%), schedule caste (57.18%) and daily wage earner (59.26%) population. The prevalence was seen decreased as the education level increased. 69.75% respondents were aware of tobacco related health hazards. Majority gathered their knowledge from media (58.23%) health personnel (30.12%), friends (15.16%) and family members (5.62%). Conclusion: It is observed from this study that among the slum population tobacco consumption was much higher and younger subject have started tobacco use relatively at an early age. So Anti tobacco Education and Health Awareness campaign etc. should be initiated right from the beginning of the primary school as a part of prevention and control strategies of tobacco use.