WHAT HUSBANDS IN NORTHERN INDIA KNOW ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: CORRELATES OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PREGNANCY AND MATERNAL AND SEXUAL HEALTH

2000 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHELAH S. BLOOM ◽  
AMY ONG TSUI ◽  
MARYA PLOTKIN ◽  
SARAH BASSETT

Women in India suffer from a high incidence of reproductive disease, disability and death. Very little work has been done on men, but a much higher incidence of sexual experience outside marriage and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among males than previously expected for this population is now being documented. In north India, women are dependent on their husbands and other family members for health-related decisions. Therefore, the behaviour, knowledge and attitudes of men are integral to the reproductive health status of couples there. This study explores knowledge about three distinct areas of reproductive health among 6549 married men in five districts of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Factors contributing to men's knowledge in the areas of fertility, maternal health and STDs were investigated. Results showed that very few men had basic knowledge in any of these areas. The likelihood of reporting knowledge was associated with a set of determinants that differed in their magnitude and effect across the areas of reproductive health explored. In particular, men's belief about the ability of an individual to prevent pregnancy demonstrated an independent association with men's knowledge. After controlling for factors such as age, parity and educational and economic status, men who believed it not possible to prevent a pregnancy were less likely to know when during the menstrual cycle women would become pregnant and certain facts about STDs, but they were more likely to be able to name two or more symptoms of serious maternal health conditions. Possible explanations for this trend are discussed.

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-65
Author(s):  
Neena Gupta ◽  
Uruj Jahan ◽  
Subhashini Singh

BACKGROUND: Maternal health is an important aspect for the development of any country in terms of increasing equity and reducing poverty. For reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity Government of India launched National health mission (NHM). Some of the major initiatives under NHM are– ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), JSY/JSSK (Janani Suraksha Yojana / Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram), National mobile medical units, National ambulance services. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, G.S.V.M Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh which is a low performing state, during the period of 2018 to 2019. A total of 5134 obstetric patients including 1032 low general condition patients were included over duration of 20 months since January 2018 to august 2019. This observational study collected information regarding number of deliveries in different years in this tertiary care hospital, effect on availability of health facilities and antenatal care to the antenatal women after introduction of JSY, ASHA and ambulance services. CONCLUSIONS: After JSY there is major difference in OPD admission and institutional delivery rate. Ambulance services had major contributory role in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. There is need to improve performance of ASHA by proper supervision and monitoring.


2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
KUHU MAITRA ◽  
JOSEPH DEGRAFT-JOHNSON ◽  
KAUSHALENDRA K. SINGH ◽  
AMY O. TSUI

This study examines the prevalence of self-reported reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and treatment seeking among married, recently pregnant women in Uttar Pradesh state, India. Associations between RTI symptom reporting and background characteristics are examined in a population-based sample of 18,506 married women with a pregnancy in the 3 years prior to a 1995 statewide survey. Logistic regression analyses are used to assess the effects of sociodemographic covariates on the probability of reporting an RTI symptom. Nearly one out of four women reports experiencing at least one RTI symptom, with the most common symptoms being abnormal vaginal discharge and pain during urination. Reporting of RTI symptoms significantly increases if the woman’s last pregnancy did not end in a live birth or if she has low economic status. Symptom reports also increase with age and decrease with parity. Only one-third of women reporting an RTI symptom sought treatment. The results indicate that survey interviews can be a cost-effective option for measuring the magnitude of RTI symptoms experienced and identifying sociodemographic influences. The findings suggest the need for improved RTI screening procedures and treatment at health facilities in this populous state of northern India.


Zoosymposia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANARDAN SINGH ◽  
MAHADEVAN RAGHURAMAN

The results generated by theMulti Locational Project onAgriculturalAcarology,All India Coordinated Project onAgriculturalAcarology, Network Project onAgriculturalAcarology and the Network Project on Insect Biosystematics since 1983 are described, highlighting the most important mite pests of north India. The following species are considered major pests in that region: Tetranychidae - Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner), Tetranychus ludeni Zacher, Tetranychus neocaledonicus André and Tetranychus urticae Koch; Eriophyidae - Aceria litchii (Keifer) and Aceria mangiferae (Sayed); Tarsonemidae - Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks). Other 16 species in those families as well as in the Tenuipalpidae are also considered important as plant pests in this area of India.Among the tetranychids, T. ludeni was identified as an alarming problem in 1987. Many outbreaks of this pest were recorded from 1988 to 1990 on cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp], an important summer vegetable of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), particularly when grown in the summer, have serious problems with T. urticae and Tetranychus macfarlanei Baker & Pritchard. Panonychus ulmi (Koch) has emerged as a serious problem on the expanding cultivation of apple in Himachal Pradesh, whereas Petrobia latens (Muller) populations are increasing in dryland cultivation of Rajasthan, attaining serious pest status mainly on wheat and coriander. Among the tarsonemids, a serious increase in P. latus on chilli has coincided with the growing cultivation of this crop, whereas increasing population levels of Steneotarsonemus spinki Smiley have caused severe damage to rice since its recent discovery in northern India. Serious problems have also been caused to tomato by the eriophyid Aceria lycopersici (Wolf) and to ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) by the tenuipalpid Larvacarus transitans (Ewing), an emerging serious pest of in Rajasthan area. The reason attributed to the increasing mite infestations is the widespread and continuous use of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides, which negatively affect the predatory mite fauna. The paper focuses on problems of mite outbreak and suggests future thrust for use of predatory mites as bio-agents for integrated mite control.


Author(s):  
Hilary T. Wolf ◽  
Hayley G. Teich ◽  
Bonnie L. Halpern-Felsher ◽  
Ramon J. Murphy ◽  
Natasha Anandaraja ◽  
...  

Abstract Ugandan adolescents lack sufficient reproductive health knowledge, which accounts in part for the staggering rates of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted (STI) infections in this population. This study aimed to (1) examine Ugandan adolescents’ baseline STI and contraceptive knowledge; (2) determine whether this knowledge varies by demographic factors, prior sexual experience or school grade; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program to increase and retain STI and contraceptive knowledge among Ugandan adolescents. This study surveyed 129 adolescents (ages 15–19) regarding knowledge of STIs and contraceptive methods at schools and community non-governmental organizations at three time points. Findings demonstrated that at baseline the mean test scores for contraceptive knowledge and STI knowledge were 44% and 72%, respectively. Participants in higher secondary school grade-levels had greater odds of having prior STI knowledge (OR=19.6, 95% CI 2.0–187.6); participants who had previously engaged in sex had greater odds of having prior contraceptive knowledge (OR=4.62, 95% CI 1.45–14.72). A higher grade level was not associated with better knowledge of contraception; and being sexually active was not associated with better knowledge of STI information. Participants’ knowledge of STIs and contraceptives improved after the education session (p<0.001), and knowledge was retained 3-weeks later (p<0.001). Findings suggest that Ugandan adolescents do not have adequate education regarding contraceptive methods and that implementation of reproductive health modules by an outside party can be effective in improving knowledge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre P. M. Thomas ◽  
Jay Yadav ◽  
Rajiv Kant ◽  
Elena Ambrosino ◽  
Smita Srivastava ◽  
...  

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT and NG, respectively) are linked to an important sexual and reproductive health (SRH) burden worldwide. Behavior is an important predictor for SRH, as it dictates the risk for STIs. Assessing the behavior of a population helps to assess its risk profile. Methods: Study participants were recruited at a gynecology outpatient department (OPD) in the Allahabad district in Uttar Pradesh India, and a questionnaire was used to assess demographics, SRH, and obstetric history. Patients provided three samples (urine, vaginal swab, and whole blood). These samples were used to identify CT and NG using PCR/NAAT and CT IgG ELISA. Results: A total of 296 women were included for testing; mean age was 29 years. No positive cases of CT and NG were observed using PCR/NAAT. A 7% (22/296) positivity rate for CT was observed using IgG ELISA. No positive association was found between serology and symptoms (vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia) or adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and stillbirth). Positive relations with CT could be observed with consumption of alcohol, illiteracy, and tenesmus (p-value 0.02–0.03). Discussion: STI prevalence in this study was low, but a high burden of SRH morbidity was observed, with a high symptomatic load. High rates of miscarriage (31%) and stillbirth (8%) were also observed among study subjects. No associations could be found between these ailments and CT infection. These rates are high even for low- and middle-income country standards. Conclusion: This study puts forward high rates of SRH morbidity, and instances of adverse reproductive health outcomes are highlighted in this study, although no associations with CT infection could be found. This warrants more investigation into the causes leading to these complaints in the Indian scenario and potential biases to NAAT testing, such as consumption of over-the-counter antimicrobials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-82
Author(s):  
Sanfia Tesabela Messakh ◽  
Esterrina Prihastuti ◽  
Bagus Panuntun Sukma Adi

Reproductive health education is not commonly talked about in Indonesian communities since it is still considered taboo. This result in the lack of understanding of a good basic knowledge of reproductive health, especially among the teenager. The lack of understanding makes the teenagers become quite fragile to negative behavior such as premarital sex which might resulted in unwanted pregnancy, abortus or even sexually transmitted diseases. The aim of this study is to describe the level of knowledge on reproductive health among the students of State Vocational High School in Bancak. The results showed that the respondents with sufficient knowledge as much as of 51.9%, as much good knowledge to 40.5%, and less knowledge as much as of 7.6%. Based on the result of the research, it can be concluded that the level of knowledge of State Vocational High School in Bancak on Adolescent Reproductive Health is in the category of medium.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Parvez Alam

Banaras also known as Varanasi (at present a district of Uttar Pradesh state, India) was a sarkar (district) under Allahabad Subah (province) during the great Mughals period (1526-1707). The great Mughals have immortal position for their contributions to Indian economic, society and culture, most important in the development of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (Hindustani culture). With the establishment of their state in Northern India, Mughal emperors had effected changes by their policies. One of them was their religious policy which is a very controversial topic though is very important to the history of medieval India. There are debates among the historians about it. According to one group, Mughals’ religious policy was very intolerance towards non-Muslims and their holy places, while the opposite group does not agree with it, and say that Mughlas adopted a liberal religious policy which was in favour of non-Muslims and their deities. In the context of Banaras we see the second view. As far as the destruction of temples is concerned was not the result of Mughals’ bigotry, but due to the contemporary political and social circumstances. Mostly temples were destroyed during the war time and under political reasons. This study is based on primary Persian sources and travelogues, perusal study of Faramin (decrees), and modern works done on the theme. Besides this, I have tried to derive accurate historical information from folklore, and have adopted an analytical approach. This article showed that Mughals’ religious policy was in favour of Pundits (priests), Hindu scholars and temples of Banaras; many ghats and temples were built in Banaras with the full support of Mughals. Aurangzeb made many grants both cashes and lands to priests and scholars of Banaras.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aashish Gupta ◽  
Sangita Vyas ◽  
Payal Hathi ◽  
Nazar Khalid ◽  
Nikhil Srivastav ◽  
...  

Solid fuel use is an important contributor to air pollution and disease burden in India. We present survey evidence documenting LPG ownership and cooking fuel use in rural north India. LPG ownership has increased rapidly, substantially driven by the Ujjwala Yojana. Three-quarters of rural households in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh now have LPG. Almost all of these households also have a stove that uses solid fuels, and among those owning both, almost three-quarters used solid fuels the day before the survey. Household economic status, relative costs of cooking fuels, gender inequality, and beliefs regarding the ease, food taste, and health impacts of cooking with solid fuels versus LPG are important contributors to high solid fuel use despite LPG ownership. Households that continue to use solid fuels continue to expose themselves and their neighbours to harmful air pollution. To realize the full health benefits of Ujjwala’s expansion in LPG ownership, attention must now be turned towards discouraging the use of solid fuels and promoting exclusive use of LPG. This is an urgent priority for research, policy, and action.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivera Radulović ◽  
Slađana Babić ◽  
Milena Veljković ◽  
Ana Stefanović ◽  
Čedomir Šagrić ◽  
...  

Summary Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide about it. It is directly conditioned by social, cultural and behavior factors. One in every five people in the world is an adolescent, and 85% of them live in developing countries. In many countries, taboos and norms about sexuality pose strong barriers to providing information, health services and other forms of support needed by young people to safeguard their sexual and reproductive health. The regulation of fertility is the most important factor that affects the reproductive health. Adolescents are not sufficiently aware of the possibility of contraception or sexually transmitted infections. In Serbia, 84% of boys and 65% girls (adolescents) have had sexual experience. Worldwide, 36-70% of adolescents do not use contraception and unwanted pregnancies are the reason for 90% of unwanted births and 89% of unsafe abortions. There are many programs in the world which aim to increase the knowledge about preservation of reproductive health. There are not any national programs in our country for family planning and preservation of reproductive health in youth population. In national strategy for youth are given different ways of youth education in the field of health promotion, including promotion of reproductive health. In order to ensure that adolescents have the ability to achieve good health, we must provide information and education in a timely manner, and we need to provide life skills and choices.


Stanovnistvo ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 91-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Sedlecki

Increase in adolescent sexual activity is a phenomenon noticed in modern societies, as well as in Serbia. The sexual activity reveals new health related problems, in relation to the unpremeditated pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Reproductive health is vulnerable especially in case of persons having first sexual experiences being adolescent, what could be explained by the physical immaturity and psychosocial infirmity to be responsible in sexual behaviour. The study of 300 sexually active adolescent women aged 19, attending The Youth Advisory Center of The Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia was conducted between 1995 - 1997. The aim of this study was to evaluate how much the reproductive health in this population was endangered, by analyzing their sexual behavior, their attitudes in the spheres of sexuality and reproduction, as well as some variables of social microenvironments that might be relevant to adolescent sexual behavior. Questionnaire included investigation of youth opinion about some acceptable social measures in this field. According to the results of this study the adolescents reproductive health is seriously endangered. Interwieved adolescent females most frequently used traditional birth control methods, like coitus interruptus (54,3%), and often didn't think about the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted disesase (with new sexual partner the regular condom use was reported only in case of 55,6% girls). Adolescent girls had also poor health behaviors so that 31,0% of interviewed adolescent females visited gynecologist for the first time not earlier than one to three years after their first sexual experience. That resulted in large number of unplanned pregnancies (16,0% of interwieved girls had one or more induced abortions) and, possibly, a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. The model of sexual behavior, that was accepted by adolescent females was partly due to the lack of adolescents knowledge about sexuallity, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. Improper were the main sources of relevant knowledge (peers, parents, mass media), therefore, youth had many misconceptions in this sphere (about the harmfulness of modern contraception, reliability of coitus interruptus method, lack of risk for sexually transmitted diseases transmission). The social adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme doesn't exist in Serbia. Parents of adolescent females were passive, and school and health care workers are not engaged in these matters enough. The possibility for social intervention programme exists, because young people were willing to improve their knowledge about sexuality and reproduction (83,3%) mostly by sex education in schools (51,0%) and through mass media (33,3%). The most appreciated sources of relevant knowledge would be physicians (67,0%), from whom they expect to have time and patience for them and their problems (91,3%).


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