A trend analysis of animal bite cases attending a Tertiary Care Hospital, Odisha during COVID lockdown

A nationwide lockdown was imposed from March 25, 2020, to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to analyze the trend, pattern of animal bite cases and to quantify the reduction in the incidence of animal bite cases due to diminution of exposure time with animals as a result of lockdown. The interrupted time series method was used to evaluate the effect of lockdown on the incidence of animal bite cases. Right after the lockdown, the mean number of reported animal bite cases decreased significantly (P = 0.04) by 8.3%. Furthermore, the month-to-month change of cases for the postlockdown period was in decreasing trend (ß3 = 0.872) and was significant (P < 0.05). Reduction in the exposure time with street animal surely reduce the incidence in animal bite cases and hence, the Government should take appropriate actions to control the intermixing of street dogs with marginal populations at the village and urban slums level.

Breast Self-examination Practice among Medical Postgraduate Female Students of Southern Odisha: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Breast cancer is on the rise among females in India. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is an easy to learn, self monitoring screening modality which can be done in utmost privacy. A proportionate increase in incidence of breast cancer is now reported among urban educated females. Even doctors neglect their own health and are the at-risk population for Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of postgraduates on BSE. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2021 to October 2021 at M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur, Odisha, India. Study population included 100 female postgraduate students. A predesigned structured questionnaire was prepared by thorough review of literature and was validated by experts. Data was collected on knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE from the study participants using Google form. Scoring was done and correlation was found out between the parameters. Chi-square test and the Fisher Exact Test was used for statistical analysis. Results: About 82 respondents completed the form. About 66 (80.48%) were in age group of 25-29 years, 7 (8.53%) had family history of breast cancer, 8 (9.75%) had discovered abnormality while practicing BSE. The median scores in knowledge of breast cancer and BSE was 36 and 17 respectively. The median scores of attitude and practice were 42 and 13 each. Spearman’s rank correlation between knowledge and attitude was positively correlated (r=0.324, p=0.003), attitude and practice was positively correlated (r=0.317, p=0.004) and knowledge and practice was not correlated (r=0.173, p=0.120). No significant difference in practice was found for participants with family history of breast cancer (p=0.353) and personal history of breast abnormality (p=0.672) and those who had no history. However a significant association was found between knowledge on frequency of BSE and monthly practice of BSE (p=0.003). Conclusion: In this study 50% of the participants did not know about the age of starting BSE as 20 years. All the steps were not followed by those who performed BSE. The most common reason for not practicing BSE was lack of time. Knowledgepractice gaps exist among the future professionals.

Effect of feeding practices on nutritional status of infant and young children residing in urban slums of berhampur: A decision tree approach

Background

Appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in the early years of life will ensure optimal growth and development of the child. However, many children are not fed in the recommended way.

Objectives

To assess the risk of malnutrition as a result of various feeding practice patterns among the children with the application of the decision tree algorithm.

Methods

It was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in the urban slums of Berhampur Municipal Corporation in Ganjam District, Odisha, India, from January to December 2019. Among a sample of 360 children of 6-23 months, nutritional status and feeding practices were determined. Data were analyzed using R version 3.6.1 developed by R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. The effect of IYCF practices on nutritional status was explained with the decision tree method with the use of a Chi-squared automatic interaction detection algorithm.

Results

The prevalence of children with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum dietary diversity (MDD) was 62.2%, 59.7%, 41.9%, and 19.4%, respectively. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight among the participants was 36.4%, 31.1%, and 35.3%, respectively. The significant factors which classified and predicted wasting were EBF, EIBF, and MDD, for stunting factors were EBF, MMF, and MDD and for underweight, significant factors were EBF, EIBF, and MDD.

Conclusion

With the decision tree approach, the probability of malnutrition in relation to various feeding practices patterns can be easily explained to the mothers and health workers as compared to interpreting odds ratio and strict adherence to IYCF guidelines can also be ensured.

Utilisation of Supplementary Nutrition Service at Anganwadi Centres in a Block of Ganjam District, Odisha: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: In India, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme provides a package of services to different groups of the target population. The Anganwadi Centre (AWC) is the focal point for delivery of these services. At AWCs, supplementary food is provided to children below six years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Aim: To assess the pattern of utilisation of supplementary nutrition by the beneficiaries and to explore the factors leading to non utilisation of supplementary nutrition. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from October 2016 to October 2018 in AWCs in Ganjam district, Odisha, India. Multistage random sampling was used to select the AWCs. By using table of random numbers, 24 AWCs were selected. From each AWC, 12 beneficiaries were selected randomly. So a total of 288 beneficiaries were selected. Out of 288 beneficiaries, 240 beneficiaries were eligible for supplementary nutrition. Rates and proportions were calculated. The Chi-square test was used for testing association between variables. Results: All the AWCs were providing supplementary food as per menu chart and were using standard measure for distribution of raw food. Supplementary food was consumed by 188 (78.3%) beneficiaries. The reason given by most of the respondents {28 (53.8%)} for non utilisation of supplementary nutrition was that they did not like the taste of the food. A statistically significant association was found between utilisation of supplementary nutrition and factors like education, socio-economic status and occupation of women. Conclusion: Although supplementary nutrition was provided by all the AWCs, it was not consumed by some beneficiaries due to lack of variety, taste and bad quality of food. The Take Home Ration (THR) was shared among the family members resulting in dilution of the service.