Background: Among developing countries, India holds the second place in being the most populated country accounting to 1.3 billion. This addresses the need for effective population control by implementing various family planning and contraceptive services thereby improving the quality of life. Our study aims at assessing the factors influencing the awareness and acceptance of permanent method of family planning.Methods: This is a questionnaire based cross sectional study carried out in A.J. institute of Medical Sciences on 300 postpartum women who have undergone two or more child births.Results: 77.3% of women were aware of family planning services out of which 64.3% had knowledge about permanent method of sterilization. 73% preferred to undergo tubectomy whereas only 13.7% were willing for vasectomy with the main reason for refusal being fear of surgery (25.9%). 32.6% of women wanted their husbands to undergo vasectomy rather than having a tubectomy themselves. Desire for more children (39%) was the main reason given by most women who refused to undergo tubectomy.Conclusions: Though women were aware of contraceptive practices, proper knowledge about permanent methods of family planning was still inadequate especially regarding vasectomy. Our study showed that lack of awareness and knowledge, fear of adverse effects, fear of sexual dysfunction, culture and religious beliefs, opposition from the male partner and health concerns were the factors influencing tubectomy acceptance over vasectomy as a permanent method of sterilization.

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Background: The overall pooled estimate of the prevalence of Postpartum depression in Indian mothers is 22%. In India, women who deliver at a health facility often stays less than 48hrs after delivery and this leaves little opportunity for health personnel to counsel the mother and family members on the signs and symptoms of Postpartum depression (PPD) and when to seek care. So, it is important to screen the postpartum woman for depression. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is used as an effective tool to assess the level of postnatal depression. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with postpartum depression in the postnatal mothers using EDPS scale.Methods: This study was conducted at A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center from January 2019 to May 2020. A total of 950 postnatal mothers were interviewed using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.Results: A total of 950 cases were studied. Prevalence of Postpartum depression was 15.78%. Increased incidence was seen in the primigravida (12.2%) compared to multigravidas (3.57%). This study showed 1.89% mothers belonging to upper middle class, 5.05% belonging to lower middle class had PPD and 7.26% belonging to upper lower class and 1.57 % patients belonging to lower class had PPD. In our study, 9.26% patients who underwent normal vaginal delivery had PPD and 6.52% of patients who underwent lower segment caesarean section had PPD. In the present study, it was found that 1.05% mothers having IUD babies and 5.2% (96/950) mothers who required NICU admission developed PPD.Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of postpartum depression was 15.78%. Risk of PPD is more with primigravida, belonging to lower middle class status, mothers who had NVD and mothers of IUD babies. Postpartum depression screening should be an integral part of postnatal care using EPDS scale. A multidisciplinary approach including obstetrician and psychiatrists and counsellor can jointly take care of the depressed mothers. Early screening of the women may reduce the adverse outcomes among both mother and child. Proper counselling should be done to all the pregnant women and the family members for the birth preparedness.

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is one of the strategies aimed at addressing maternal mortality as it facilitates the identification and mitigation of risk factors early in pregnancy. The primary aim of antenatal care is to achieve a healthy mother and baby. Aim and Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the benefits of antenatal care utilisation at tertiary care center of our hospital Methods and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 pregnant women attending antenatal care centre at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology AJIMS, Mangalore during May 2022 to August 2022. Face to face interview was conducted to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice using a structured questionnaire Results: A total of 86% were in the age group between 20-29 years and 71.4% were multigravida. 96.1% pregnant women responded that registration for antenatal care and visits is essential. 87.2% responded to take iron and folate during pregnancy.92% women responded that tetanus diphtheria (Td) should be given during pregnancy but 3.2% were unaware. 71.2% pregnant women reported that they knew about the danger signs during pregnancy. Conclusion:The study recommends improving health education for patients by healthcare professionals to increase understanding during pregnancy and the postpartum period and encourage early reporting of danger signs to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Background: An increasing number of term infants of appropriate birth weight receive care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors for admission of term infants to a NICU to identify areas for quality improvement. Design: Retrospective study. Patients and Methods:The cases were all term infants (≥ 37 weeks gestational age) admitted to the AJIMS NICU between 1st May 2021 to 30 th April 2022, were retrospectively examined from the medical records. Neonates with major congenital anomalies, diagnosed with genetic syndromes, or referred to another hospital for any reason were excluded from the study. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence, pattern, and risk factors for admission of term infants to the NICU. Results:The term infants born in these one year, 12.8% (101) were admitted to NICU. Commonest reason for admission was Respiratory distress syndrome (37%). Others reasons are non-bilious vomiting (20%), congenital anomalies [Surgical conditions and Congenital heart disease] (13%) Hyperbilirubinaemia (8%), Infections (sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis), (4%). Conclusion:A growing number of term infants are admitted unexpectedly to the NICU. Respiratory distress syndrome and hyperbilirubinaemia and low birth weight being most common causes for NICU admission.