BACKGROUND World population is aging, which is a concern of 21 st century because of advances in medical sciences and improved social conditions. In developing countries like India where aging occurs rapidly due to the phase of demographic transition characterised by rapid fertility decline and increase in life expectancy. In India for the year 2010, the estimates are 8% of total population are above the age of 60 years and is likely to rise to 19% by 2050. Aging is a time of multiple illness and general disability. Old age diseases are not always curable, but only treatable, implying a strain on financial as well as physical health infrastructure resources, both at the macro and micro levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was done in 2016 in Atholi Panchayath of Kozhikode, which is situated in North Kerala. Elderly people with 60 years and above were included in the study. A sample size of 324 was calculated and cluster sampling method was done for selection of study subjects. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire after getting ethical clearance and was analysed using SPSS software. RESULTS Among the 324 subjects participated in the study, 163 (50.3%) were males and 161 (49.67%) were females. Mean age of the study subjects were 68.11 yrs. (range 60-94). Majority of the respondents were in the age group of 60-64 years (39.2%). Most common morbidities among the respondents were musculoskeletal disorders (57.4%) followed by vision problems (41.7%), gastric problems (39.2%), diabetes (31.5%) and hypertension (30.7%). CONCLUSION In our country, proportion of elderly is consistently increasing and there is need to focus on their health needs. A multilevel approach including age friendly health infrastructure development, social security measures, residential care homes, free treatment, etc. are required to manage geriatric morbidity among rural population.

BACKGROUNDSmoking is inhalation of smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, bidis and cigars. Estimates indicate that over 1.1 billion people smoke worldwide and approximately 4 million persons die annually due to smoking. Of this, 182 million smokers live in India. Smoking is much more prevalent among men. The use of bidi accounts for largest proportion (40%) of tobacco consumption in India. Based on tobacco use prevalence in 2005, it has been estimated that Kerala had at least 4 million smokers. In 2000, globally the leading causes of death from smoking included cardiovascular diseases (1.69 million deaths), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (0.97 million deaths) and lung cancer (0.85 million deaths).The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of smoking among males above 18 years in a rural area of Kozhikode district.

Introduction: In India, around 555,000 people died of cancer in the year 2010. Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries. In many low-income and middle-income countries, including India, most of the population does not have access to a well organized and well-regulated cancer care system. Objective: (1) To study the socio-demographic profile of cancer patients attending tertiary care center.(2) To study the type, site and at what stage cancers are being reported to tertiary care center (3) To study the association of the cancer type with socio-demographic variables. Material and methods: A Hospital-based Cross-Sectional Study carried out from November 2013 to October 2014. Detailed pre-designed and pre-tested proforma is used to collect information on the socio-demographic profile. All diagnosed cancer patients admitted at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital. A total of 381 were studied during the study period. Results: Total of the 381 cancer patients, Males were 154 (40.4%) and females were 227(59.6%), it was found that majority of male, 78 (50.6%) study subjects were in the age group of 60-69 years, in socioeconomic status male subjects were in lower-middle and upper lower class i.e. 40 (26%) female were in upper-middle-class i.e. 70 (30.8%), according to the present study breast cancer (21.3%) was most prevalent, followed by CA liver and biliary tract (14.7%), followed by lungs (8.7%). the male was diagnosed in stage III of disease accounting 67(43.5%) female patients were diagnosed in stage II 86 (37.9). Conclusion: Breast cancer more common among younger age group and upper SES, Cervical cancer more common among lower SES, Lung cancer in literates'. Liver cancer more common among the older age group and lower SES. So, these groups can be targeted for health education and screening for early diagnosis and treatment.

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Background: Women from low-income settings are considered as nutritionally vulnerable. This risk is augmented during pregnancy and lactation as food nutrient requirement increases. Lactating mothers are subjected to nutritional stresses which are further exaggerated by frequent pregnancies resulting in high maternal mortality and health risk for children. Attainment of millennium development goals (MDG) by our country is largely dependent on the health of mothers and children, which in turn is influenced by diet. Objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women. To assess diet pattern of lactating womenMethods: Cross-sectional study carried out for a period of three month by house to house visit in the urban field practice area of SDMCMSH, Dharwad. Taking prevalence of malnutrition among lactating mothers (15-49 years) as 50, sample size was calculated to be 100 using n=4pq/d×d. Data analysed using the IBMSPSS 20.0.Results: Majority of mothers were housewives and in the age group of 20-25 year. >80% of the participants did not take additional meals during lactation. >60% of women from low socioeconomic state were malnourished and >55% of women from high socioeconomic state but working is malnourished.Conclusions: Dietary intakes of the lactating women are insufficient compared to national recommendations. Low socioeconomic condition and working status of mother are important predictors of malnourishment. Effective nutritional education of families and communities is recommended to improve dietary practices and result in adequate nutrition.