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Biomedical subjects

H M Swami

Publications and source records attributed to H M Swami.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Fertility control methods: knowledge of adolescent girls in schools of Chandigarh.

The study was conducted in 4 schools (3 urban, 1 rural) in Union Territory of Chandigarh. Adolescent girls in the age group of 12 and 20 years were interviewed, thereby covering 316 in urban and 73 in rural areas. The knowledge regarding fertility control methods improved from 44.9% to 66.7% with increase in the age. The knowledge was higher (57.6%) in girls with college level education of mothers in comparison to 35.9% among illiterate mothers. Also children of working mothers, had better awareness (60.7%) than housewives (49.8%). Relationship with occupation of father and religion was also studied. It is important to educate the girls in adolescent age group regarding fertility control methods, so that they have better understanding of shaping their families in coming years.

Adolescent↗

Manpower utilization in pulse polio immunization.

The present study was conducted in Union Territory of Chandigarh to find out the utilization pattern of manpower engaged in the implementation of Pulse Polio Campaign (PPI) on 7th December, 1997 with the objective to achieve a coverage close to 100% and thereby, eradicating poliomyelitis. Over 100,000 under-five children were expected to participate on PPI day. Out of 240 polio centres established in the Union Territory, 16 were selected by stratified random sampling covering 14,858 children. The observing teams recorded the information about the children and presence of staff members throughout the day between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. It was observed that nearly half of the children received the polio drops within the first three hours while only a little over 5% visited polio centres in the last two hours. The average number of manpower varied between 5 and 6 throughout the day (more than the recommended four). The staff posted at urban, rural and slum centres did not visit the houses except for the few volunteers in slums. Unimmunized children should be identified by the staff in last two hours when the load at polio centres is extremely low. Adequate utilization of the full potential of the manpower will help in enhancing the PPI coverage close to 100%.

Child↗

Attitude and practices regarding diarrhoea in rural community in Chandigarh.

The present study on diarrhoea, its prevalence, practices and awareness of mothers was conducted in 120 randomly selected households in the rural area of Chandigarh during monsoons in 1996. Inspite of access to safe drinking water and latrines in 83% and 74% of the households in the village respectively, the prevalence rate of diarrhoea in 181 under five children was observed to be 23.2%. Majority (88.1%) of children had treatment for diarrhoea whereas only half (54.8%) of children were given oral rehydration solution. 86.7% of the mothers were aware of ORS but only 18.7% could tell the correct method of its preparation. A large number of respondents implicated a variety of food items responsible for diarrhoea and restricted them during the episodes.

Child, Preschool↗

Evaluation of pulse polio immunisation (1996) in Chandigarh, India.

An evaluation survey on pulse polio immunization (PPI) was conducted in Union Territory of Chandigarh with a population of 88,100 children under the age of five years. Information was collected by interviewing the companions of 438 children in 18 polio centres, selected by stratified random sampling. Participation of children in the age-group of 4 and 5 years was found to be low. Awareness regarding various components of pulse polio immunization was found to be good in urban areas whereas it was unsatisfactory in slums. Two-dose-coverage of polio drops in 1996 campaign was recorded to be 81.5%. High risk pockets like slums need more attention for the success of polio eradication.

Child, Preschool↗

Evaluation of cold chain system in Chandigarh during PPI campaign 2001-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maintenance of cold chain system (CCS) in intensified pulse polio immunization (IPPI) programme, during December 2001 and January 2002 in Union Territory (UT) Chandigarh. MATERIALS & METHODS: A Cross sectional time bound study was conducted in seven centres, where OPV vials were stored prior to IPPI and 20 IPPI Booths in UT, Chandigarh. Booths were selected by stratified random sampling technique. The status of cold chain equipments was assessed at headquarter of IPPI, 6 regional (distribution) centres, 20 IPPI posts and 5 house to house teams. RESULTS: The cold chain sickness rate was found to be 9.7% in January, 2002. There were reports of breakdown of cold chain maintenance due to defective plugs and sockets, faults in thermostat, leakage of gas. But all vaccine samples picked up randomly were reported potent, as per the test reports provided by Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli during the period of study. OBSERVATION & DISCUSSION: Temperature charting and cold chain maintenance was found satisfactory, but necessity of improvement, specially regarding the handling of vaccines by the female health worker. Lids of vaccine carriers not closed tightly, frequent opening of lids during immunization, direct exposure of vaccine to atmospheric temperature, keeping the vaccine vial in hand or pocket. More emphasis is to be given on maintenance of cold chain system in orientation training programme of all Health functionaries before the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) programme.

Cryopreservation↗