scholarly journals Insufficient Iodine Level in Urine among Children of a Secondary School: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (242) ◽  
pp. 890-893
Author(s):  
Anand Ballabh Joshi ◽  
Megha Raj Banjara ◽  
Chitra Kumar Gurung ◽  
Vivek Kumar Singh ◽  
Krishna Pant ◽  
...  

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders are common endocrinopathies in Nepal. Children are at risk for iodine deficiency disorders. Irreversible mental retardation and brain damage in children are the devastating disorders lead by iodine deficiency. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of insufficient iodine level among the children of a secondary school. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in urine from April 2019 to July 2019 after obtaining ethical approval from Nepal Health Research Council (Registration number: 802/2018). Forty-six urine samples were collected from school children for iodine estimation. Convenience sampling was done. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Science version 21 and descriptive analyses were done. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among the 46 students, majority 36 (78.30%) (95% Confidence Interval= 66.30-90.21) of the school children had insufficient urine iodine level. Among 36 salt samples collected from school children with low urine iodine level, 8 (22.2%) salt samples had iodine less than 15ppm. Conclusions: Iodine estimation revealed a very high percentage of urine samples containing insufficient levels of iodine is similar as compared to studies done in similar settings. Hence, the school children were at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Iodine deficiency disorders prevention programs should be priority intervention based on available evidence. 

Author(s):  
Chinta Durga Kumar ◽  
Venkata Suresh Anga

Background: Eye is one of the most vital organs of human body. Any abnormality in the eye can impair vision and make the person handicapped for life. The school children form a special group because they are most vulnerable to the effects of reduced vision and its impact on learning capability and educational potential. The objective of the study was to find out the factors affecting vision of secondary school children, to suggest preventive and remedial measures for defective vision.Methods: It was a cross sectional study. School children of Zilla Parishad secondary high school during November 2016 to December 2016 were studied. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was administered. A total of 320 students were included in the study by using convenient sampling technique. Data was entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results were expressed as proportions for different study variables.Results: Out of the 320 students, majority 181 (56.56%) of study participants were girls. The highest number of students (49.38%) was between 12-13 years of age group. Prevalence of defective vision is 34%. Family history is present in 29% of the study population. 34% of children with defective vision, it was detected by their mother.Conclusions: Refractive errors are more in girls. Children and parents should be educated regarding ocular hygiene and early correction of refractive errors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (242) ◽  
pp. 868-871
Author(s):  
Alisha Thapa ◽  
Susmita Nepal ◽  
Garima Malla ◽  
Sushma Pokhrel

 Introduction: Childhood obesity, caused due to excessive fat accumulation, is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths associated with several non-communicable diseases. In Nepal, there is limited data available on the status of overweight and obesity among school children. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of childhood overnutrition among school going children in a municipality. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to July 2019, in four schools of a municipality selected by simple random sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from Nepal Health Research Council (Registration number 380/2019). Data was collected using census sampling from children aged 5-18 years through self-administered questionnaires to the children’s parents. The data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 379 school children, the prevalence of overnutrition was found to be 38 (10.03%) (95% Confidence Interval= 7.01-13.05). Prevalence of overnutrition was highest in children of age group 10-13 years 23 (60.5%), in females 27 (71.1%), those consuming junk food 4-6 times weekly 14 (36.8%) and those performing daily physical activity less than 60 minutes 24 (63.2%). Conclusions: The prevalence of childhood overnutrition is similar in comparison to other studies done in similar settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (239) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushma Shrestha ◽  
Swechhya Baskota ◽  
Urusha Karki ◽  
Lisasha Poudel ◽  
Niroj Bhandari ◽  
...  

Introduction: Sexual abuse remains a hidden and underreported form of violence against children and a serious public health concern. Although it results in severe mental, physical, and psychological risks with consequences such as depression, fear, and low self-esteem, it is still an unexplored and less prioritized area in Nepal. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse among school children of a municipality. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among 405 students, aged below 18 of Mandan-Deupur Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk from April to May 2018. Ethical clearance was taken from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref no 2506). A simple random sampling technique was used to select the schools. Collected data were then entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage. Results: In overall, 64 (15.8%) (12.4-19.7 at 95% Confidence Interval) were found to be sexually abused, where a high prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse was reported for boys 46 (73.43%). Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, child sexual abuse is seen as a significant issue in the place studied. Awareness programs on child sexual abuse should be organized targeting children along with parents and community people.


Author(s):  
Arpita Jain ◽  
Shipra Verma ◽  
Manju Toppo ◽  
Akhil R. Nair

Background: Iodine deficiency (IDD) is the world’s most prevalent cause of brain damage. glaciations, flooding, rivers lead to deficiency of iodine in crops grown on iodine. Diet low in iodine can result in stillbirth and abortions and many more sequelae. Objectives of the research work were to study the prevalence of IDD amongst 6-12 years children by clinical examination and to determine the concentration of iodine in salt sample at consumer level. Also, to determine the urinary iodine excretion amongst 6-12 years age group children.Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in the government schools of Sagar district among school children of 6-12 years of age. Total 2700 school children from 30 villages were included using PPS sampling. Students were clinically examined and their urine samples were taken for MUIC estimation.Results: Prevalence of goiter was more in 10 to 11 years of age (14.07%) and less in 8 to 9 years age group (7.59%). Overall prevalence of goiter in district Sagar is 10.51%.Conclusions: Despite NIDDCP, there is still dearth of awareness among general public about the usage and storage of iodized salt which is the root cause of Iodine deficiency.


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