IntroductionReproductive tract infections (RTIs) are endemic among developing countries and common among females specifically in the reproductive age group. The sequelae of this lead to infertility. The main reason behind the high prevalence was found to be the lack of awareness about the disease and the stigma toward the disease. Aims and objectivesThis study aims to assess the prevalence of reproductive tract infection based on the syndromic management approach among ever-married rural women in the reproductive age group in the Kancheepuram District. MethodologyThis community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute during the period from March 2016 to May 2017. The sample size taken was 330, and the sample size was arrived at by multistage random sampling and population proportion to size. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire of District Level Household Survey 4 (DLHS-4) on RTI/sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data were then entered in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), and results were interpreted. ResultsThe prevalence of RTI was found to be 50.3%, with the majority (61.3%) of women in the age group of 28-37 years, 52.85% among females living with spouses, and 57.9% from the Hindu community. The prevalence was high among the lower-middle-class and nuclear families. The commonest symptom is vulval itching with 74.09%, and the least is boils with 0.9%. A significant association was noted between RTI and menstrual hygiene practices and socioeconomic status (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe prevalence was high among rural females, and the main reason behind it was the stigma and the lack of awareness. Health education using various sources should be provided to get rid of these issues.

Background: Current world population is 7.6 billions and India accounts 1.3 billions, India is the second most populous country in the world, by 2050 the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion. Family Planning can have a positive impact on population growth, maternal mortality, and infant and new-born outcomes. Hence there is a need for considerable improvement in coverage and quality of family planning services. The objective of the study is to assess the awareness and contraceptive practices among womens.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban health-training center area of Rangareddy district, Telangana state. The study participants involved were women of reproductive age group 15–45 years. 200 women were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data entry was done in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: In this study 50% women belong to 26-35 year age group. 64% were literate, 41.4% belong to upper middle class, 74% women’s source of information regarding contraceptives is from medical professionals. 61% women are aware of contraception and 34% practice it.Conclusions: Based on our observation, 60% women were aware of contraception but only 34% practice at least one method. The common reasons for not practicing contraception are lack of knowledge, the desire for male child, pressure from husband. This study concludes that factors like age, education, socio-economic status have significant impact on awareness and practice of contraception.

BackgroundThe health status of children is considered a very important and vital factor for building the future of a growing nation. So providing proper nutrition to the child is very important to enhance the growth of the child. ObjectivesThe present study is intended to assess the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of children attending Anganwadi centers. Materials and methodsThis community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in children in the age group of 3-6 years attending the Anganwadi centers. By using the simple random sampling technique 13 Anganwadi centers were selected and a sample of 381 children was selected as the study population. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17 (Chicago: SPSS Inc). Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethical committee (ECR/460/Inst/AP/2013/RR_19). ResultsThe overall prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 172 (45.2%), 243 (63.8%), and 79 (20.7%), respectively, according to the WHO-recommended classification. It was observed that a high prevalence of morbidity was of anemia, 125 (32.08%), followed by upper respiratory tract infection, 78 (20.48%). ConclusionThe present study shows that there are still many children who are malnourished and suffering from anemia in our country, even after 46 years of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). As malnutrition is a complex and multi-dimensional issue, comprehensive studies regarding causative, aggravating, and associated factors leading to malnutrition are required to be studied, to know the problem in-depth, and formulate better health policies.

Background: Assessment of students in medical colleges was done by traditional practical examination for evaluation of practical or clinical skills, which is subjective in nature and suffer from lack of objectivity. So a uniform system of clinical and practical evaluation of medical students is always desirable. An objective structured practical examination (OSPE) is one such method believed to meet the deficiencies of the conventional system of practical/clinical examination. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of OSPE as a formative assessment tool compared to traditional methods for M.B.B.S. students.Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was carried out on 56 MBBS students in KAMSRC, Hyderabad, Telangana. Students of 3rd year M.B.B.S were subjected to traditional practical evaluation followed by OSPE. A eight station OSPE was conducted one week after the TPE. The scores obtained in both were compared. All the data collected was entered and analyzed with MS excel software 2007.Results: Average marks scored by the students in OSPE (17.78±2.69) were higher as compared to traditional practical examination (15.00±3.49) which was statistically significant. 74.4% of the students strongly agreed that OSPE is fairer in comparison to traditional practical examination. 90.5% students strongly agreed that variability of examiner and patient can be removed to a large extent by OSPE.Conclusions: Based on the observation, OSPE was found to be a more effective assessment tool than traditional method.

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of death. Many tools for CVD risk assessment have been devised. While it is relatively easy to identify those who are obviously at high risk, the health expenditure can be predicted and necessary high risk based preventive care programmes can be introduced. The study has been taken up with an objective of assessing “10 years risk prediction of CAD, Among the Coal Mine Employees by applying “Framingham Risk Scores.”.Methods: Study population: coal mine employees (30-60 years of age). Study area: Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), Telangana State, India. Study design: cross-sectional observational study. Sample size: 53367coal mine workers. Sampling methods: All coal mine employees (30-60 years) working atleast of 10 years duration and those who have given consent for the study have been included. Data collection: collected from the periodic medical examination records from 2008 to 2012. Analysis: By using Micro soft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 19.Results: Majority of the workers were in the age group of 51-60 years of age, followed by 41-50 years (31.5%). 11.9% has mild risk, 3.2% has moderate risk and 0.6% has severe risk of CAD. Mining Surface labourers has marginally higher risk of CAD than “Mining Supervisory and Managerial Staff’, Opencast mining staff were found to at higher risk of CAD.Conclusions: Mining Surface labourers and opencast mining staff were found to at higher risk of CAD.