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Background: Malnutrition is defined as ‘undernutrition’ resulting from inadequate consumption, poor absorption or excessive loss of nutrients and also includes ‘overnutrition’, resulting from excessive intake of specific nutrients. Infant-feeding practices play a major role in child caring practices apart from socio-cultural, demographic and economic factors. The present study was conducted to assess socio-demographic and other factors associated with undernutrition in rural areas of Patan.Methods: This present study was conducted at 6 Anganwadi centers of Kungher rural area of Patan during 2017-2018. Total 293 of 1 to 5 year children were included in the study. Secondary data was collected through study of records and reports from AWW. Mothers of selected children were interviewed for collecting desired information. The children were examined for anthropometric parameters (weight and height) and nutritional status.Results: Out of 293 children 159 (54.2%) subjects were males. Total 190 (64.8%) children were ICDS beneficiaries. More than half of children (55.6%) were undernourished. Severe malnutrition was more distributed among unregistered (54.5%). Two third of illiterate mothers had undernourished children (69.8%). More than half of children (59.9%) belonging to lower socio economic class were undernourished. More than 2/3rd of low birth weight (LBW) children were found to be undernourished.Conclusions: Child’s nutritional status had significantly affected by maternal education and occupational status. Many other key factors such as family income, gender discrimination and LBW are playing an important role in nutritional status children.

Background: Domestic violence, as with all forms of gender-based violence, represents a barrier to development due to its negative impact not only on women, but also on men, children and the wider community. Objective was to find out the causes of domestic violence. To trace the reasons for which abused women continue to stay in abusive relationship. To find out help-seeking behavior of abused women.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 ever married women of 15-49 years of age.  All the information was gathered based on self-administered questionnaire. Confidentiality was maintained strictly.Results: Out of 600 respondents, 231 respondents were victims of domestic violence. Alcoholism of the husband was found the main cause of domestic violence as reported by a majority of about 29% of the respondents. Regarding reaction of victims to the violence, 168 of the respondents informed that they become silent. Total 159 respondents approached the informal or formal sources to seek help.Conclusions: Alcoholism of the husband was found the main cause of domestic violence against women. Majority of the victims could not resist or fight back. A majority of women were unaware about the relief available to the victims of domestic violence.

Background: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) helps in improving the effective utilization of available maternal and newborn health care services through knowledge of danger sign, identifying birth place and attendant, means of transportation, managing fund for an emergency, birth companion and identification of blood donor. Aim: To find the association between socio-demographic characteristics and BPCR index indicators. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the recently delivered and pregnant women in urban and rural areas of the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat. Methods and Material: Total 420 pregnant and recently delivered women from urban and rural areas were interviewed for study. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview women at household setting. BPCR index is estimated by set of 7 quantifiable indicators and expressed in the percentage of women with specific characteristics. Results: Regarding ANC registration within 12th weeks of pregnancy and skilled birth attendant for delivery. Significant difference was observed with variable like APL/BPL status, education of women and their husband, parity and type of family. Conclusions: Hindu religion, APL economic status, higher education level, joint family, high parity and joint family were found important predictor of better BPCR practice.

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